Director, writer, and producer David E. Talbert is adding “author” to his already stacked resume. The filmmaker behind Almost Christmas and Netflix’s Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey just landed a six-figure book deal with Penguin Random House’s Storehouse Voices imprint for his debut memoir, Everything I Know About Being a Man (I Learned From a Woman).
And if the title doesn’t already hook you, the story behind it just might.
Raised by a single mother with barely any connection to his own father, Talbert spent much of his life figuring manhood out on his own. Now, as a father himself, he’s navigating those same tough conversations with his son—and realizing many of the lessons he holds close didn’t come from a man at all, but from the woman who raised him. This memoir is a reflection of that journey—full of hard-won wisdom, moments of humor, and an honest look at what it really means to show up, not just as a dad, but as a man.
But Talbert’s not stopping at the page.
He’s also developing a half-hour TV comedy inspired by the memoir. The series will follow a first-time dad doing his best to become the father he never had—and trying not to lose his mind in the process. It’s a relatable premise that promises both heart and hilarity, rooted in real-life stakes and emotional growth.
Outside of storytelling, Talbert continues to invest in the next generation of creatives. In late 2023, he and his producing partner and wife, Lyn Sisson-Talbert, launched HBCU Next, a fellowship program designed to open doors for aspiring filmmakers from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The initiative, housed at the USC School of Cinematic Arts Summer Program, is more than just a résumé booster—it’s a chance for students to sharpen their skills, gain insider knowledge, and bring more authentic Black stories to the forefront of film and TV.
Because let’s be real: representation matters, but so does preparation. And HBCU Next is helping these students get both.
Between his personal reflections and commitment to amplifying new voices, David E. Talbert is proving that legacy isn’t just about what you leave behind—it’s also about who you lift up along the way.