Luenell Joins ‘Cooley High’ Screening in Harlem

Comedian Luenell capped off a sold-out Apollo Theater performance on May 16 by extending her New York visit to celebrate Malcolm X’s birthday in Harlem. On Saturday, May 17, she joined a special screening of the 1975 coming-of-age classic Cooley High at the AMC Magic Johnson theater, part of a new series of classic film and Q&A events.

Event Details

Luenell met up with friend and television host Sherri Shepherd for the Harlem screening, where AMC is showcasing fan favorites in an intimate Q&A format. The series kicked off with Claudine, and this night’s feature—Cooley High—drew plenty of nostalgia. After the 1975 release, which follows high-school friends Preach (Glynn Turman) and Cochise (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs) navigating life in Chicago, attendees settled in with popcorn and blankets to relive 1970s youth culture on the big screen.

Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, who portrayed Cochise, was on hand after the film to field audience questions. Luenell noted on Instagram that she’s known Hilton-Jacobs “for quite a while,” making the reunion extra special. Though Luenell couldn’t stay for the entire Q&A—another appointment was on her schedule—the evening offered fans a chance to hear behind-the-scenes stories from one of her favorite films. She admitted she always reaches for tissues whenever Cochise’s tragic fate plays out, even 30 years on.

Cooley High Legacy

Cooley High has earned its place as a touchstone of Black cinema. Directed by Michael Schultz and written by Eric Monte, the film arrived at a moment when Hollywood was turning a lens on everyday experiences in urban communities. Glynn Turman and Hilton-Jacobs deliver warm, humorous performances that balance teenage mischief with real emotion.

Garrett Morris, who also appears in Cooley High, went on to big-screen and television roles, including NBC’s Saturday Night Live. The AMC Magic Johnson theater, named for basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, has become a cultural hub in Harlem since its 1990 opening. By partnering with filmmakers and actors for these Q&A nights, AMC aims to deepen appreciation for timeless stories and their creative teams.

Luenell’s Apollo Connection

Before the Harlem event, Luenell brought down the house on Friday night at the Apollo Theater, delivering another sold-out comedy show. The North Carolina-born performer has made a career of blending sharp stand-up with on-screen roles in films like The Wedding Singer and TV appearances on Hollywood Squares. Her Instagram feed shows a whirlwind of backstage moments: from meeting fashion icon Dapper Dan after the Met Gala to catching up with longtime friends in the Apollo dressing room.

Luenell’s presence in Harlem over the weekend reflected both her respect for the neighborhood’s history and her ongoing bond with the Apollo. In a 2019 interview, she recalled how stepping onto that stage first launched her as a national comedian. On Instagram, she thanked Harlem fans for “lovin’ me back” after her sold-out shows, calling the city “home away from home.”

Beyond stand-up, Luenell champions community-centered arts. By turning her extra day in New York into a tribute to Malcolm X and Black film heritage, she highlighted how comedians and classic cinema can intersect in meaningful ways. Fans who weren’t at the AMC Magic Johnson theater can look for future screenings in the coming months, as the series continues its run.

With every popcorn-filled screening and Apollo encore, Luenell keeps both laughs and legacies alive.

Meta description: Comedian Luenell celebrated Malcolm X’s birthday in Harlem with a screening and Q&A of ‘Cooley High’ at AMC Magic Johnson theater.

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Sakshi

 

Sakshi holds a bachelor’s degree in Science and a master’s in Bioinformatics from Panjab University, India. Her passion for writing engaging articles has led her to pursue a career in content writing since 2020. Sakshi has written in various niches, including health and wellness, fintech, blockchain, and lifestyle.

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