On Monday, inside the Parma-Snow branch of the Cuyahoga County library, every seat was filled for a sold-out evening with Arsenio Hall. Hall returned to Northeast Ohio to promote his new memoir, Arsenio. What unfolded ended up being more than a reflection on his career, but more of a celebration of Cleveland, and a homecoming of sorts.
The crowd reflected that energy, greeting Hall with Dog Pound barks. In the crowd were leaders of local organizations and government sitting alongside longtime fans of The Arsenio Hall Show, movie lovers who grew up quoting his roles, and book lovers eager to hear the stories behind the memoir. Hall switched between laughter and reflection, and the vibes in the room felt like a family reunion, sometimes a Black church sermon, and other moments like we were watching his iconic TV talk show.
Respect for Cleveland
Throughout the one-hour conversation with Mayor Justin Bibb, Hall made one thing clear: sharing the stage with Bibb mattered. In fact, he told the audience he wasn’t interested in doing another talk as he’s been on the road promoting his book, unless he could meet Cleveland’s mayor.
Much of the conversation centered on the people and environment that shaped him long before Hollywood. He spoke about growing up in Cleveland’s East Side and suburban neighborhoods, where he said money was limited, but values were not. He spoke about growing up as a latchkey kid and how that taught him independence. He added, it’s the kind of upbringing where you might not have everything, but you have enough to imagine something bigger.
He told the story of growing up watching late-night talk shows like The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Inspired by that show, he would invite friends and other kids in the neighborhood over to his mom’s basement, where he put on his own little talk show.
“I took my dream from a basement in Cleveland to Hollywood,”.
Arsenio Hall
Faith, culture, and finding his voice
Hall told the crowd, preaching is like his family’s business after naming all of his elder relatives who were preachers. He talked about getting to sit in the pulpit when his dad preached and how that experience taught him things like delivery, how to command a room, how to connect, pause, and build momentum.
At times, Hall’s cadence felt like a sermon and the crowd responded like a congregation, laughing, affirming, and leaning in. Hall also told how his preacher character in Coming to America was just him imitating one of the preachers in his family.
“I encourage you to not only dream…it’s never too late. I swear to you, dreams come true.”
Arsenio Hall
For many of us or many in the room, The Arsenio Hall Showwasn’t just entertainment; it was representation. When Mayor Bibb asked about Hall’s impact on late-night television, the conversation turned to legacy.
Hall acknowledged that from the beginning, he was pushing against an industry that didn’t fully believe in his vision. He stated that the network didn’t think he would be able to get the rating of mainstream America. Hall pushed back and created a show where Black artists and voices were centered.
“My life, my comedy, is all the Rolodex of everything I’ve seen and done,”
Arsenio Hall
Though the event centered on his memoir, the night felt bigger than a book promotion. It was a homecoming and an opportunity to inspire the community. When Mayor Bibb asked how the type of spaces that he created with the Arsenio Hall show can exist now.
Hall’s answer was direct, “We are the answer,” he said. He emphasized that the power of storytelling now sits with the people and our ability to use smartphones and social media.
Hall also encouraged the audience to keep dreaming, no matter their age or stage in life. “It’s never too late,” he added.
Arsenio Hall speaks to a sold-out crowd during his Cleveland book event at Parma-Snow Library, reflecting on his journey from Cleveland to Hollywood. Credit: Facebook
“Whatever your mission is, you can make it come true just with your phone.”
Arsenio Hall
The talk ended with Bibb presenting Hall with a proclamation from the city. Visibly moved, Hall paused, telling the audience he was “about to cry,” and said the honor meant even more to him than receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a moment that underscored just how much this recognition from his hometown really mattered.
“We are the answer… we just gotta care, we gotta get involved.
