My first job ever was at COACH. I got the job at 16 and it was a great experience. I learned a lot about working with the public at a young age. My first job sustaining comedy was far less sexy! lol. I worked in corporate fashion for many years. About two years after I started comedy, I was laid off and decided not to go back to the fashion industry. I needed something that provided flexibility, so my friend who was a manager got me a job at the illustrious Dollar Tree. And what an experience that was. My previous experience in retail helped a lot. I treated the customers the same way I treated the customers at COACH. But the biggest lesson I learned was if I was willing to sacrifice corporate comforts and put myself through the experience of making minimum wage, I really must love comedy!

Getting a short I did, “Where’s My white Privilege?” (written and directed by Michael Harrison), into Just For Laughs. Getting into one of the best comedy festivals in the world was amazing. Unfortunately, it was during a global pandemic, and it was the only year it was virtual. So, I didn’t get the entire experience. However, it was incredible to have our short up against shorts featuring greats like Maria Bamford.

I think the initial sacrifices I made really helped me stay in the game. I recognized how much I had given up for this dream, and it made me determined to stay the course.

I have had my share of hecklers. I think the fact that I have experience teaching children has really helped. Drunk people and children are basically the same. I’ve even had two women try to fight in the front row of my show. That was wild. I did my best to keep the attention on me, while security and a fellow comic calmed them down. I went on a rant about my cat that just died, and being drugged in the same week, and how this was the last thing I needed. The audience immediately rallied around me, and I was able to finish my set.

I would give them the same advice Phylicia Rashad gave us during my college graduation from Syracuse: “In order to live in the world you want, you have to create it.” Oh, and “Live with a mother’s heart.”

It wasn’t advice, it was feedback from two auditions. One person told me, “You know this isn’t a Black room?” Which was wild, because I wrote all the jokes in that room with him, and they were universal jokes. Another booker told me, my references were “too old”, but the jokes landed, and it felt like he was just trying to get me to do a 3rd bringer show.

Before I ever wanted to be a comedian, I already used humor/comedy to diffuse situations and make people feel better/at ease. It has helped me in recent years, as life gets crazier. I have been held up at gunpoint and found myself walking away from the experience writing jokes about it, rather than wallowing in fear. It’s a fantastic way to process trauma. My dad also recently had a stroke and being able to keep him, my family, and the nursing staff, feeling good with laughs, was such a morale booster. I almost felt bad, for how loud we were laughing in the ICU.

Talk about things you really care about and things that are happening in your real life. The things you like, what grinds your gears, the people/places/things that are important to you. Write everything down! I heard the comedy Goddess Leighann Lord say, “Ideas are like beautiful, jealous butterflies. They will fly around your head and it you don’t take a moment to capture their beauty, they will fly away to someone else.” So, write every idea down. No matter how small, you don’t know what it will grow into.

I went on a bad date, and that is what inspired me to get into comedy. While I watched a lot of comedy growing up, I never actually wanted to become a comedian. The date started out great. He took me to the Shabazz Center for Malcom X’s birthday, and I sat down next to his grandmother, and all four of Malcom X’s daughters, when they were all still alive. He then took me to his job, and I met all his coworkers. I give this backstory because in these situations, I’m clearly going to be on my best behavior. As we were leaving his job, he said he had a surprise and led me up MacDougal Street. I realized we were heading to Mamoun’s (one of my favorites!) As we were walking up the street, we passed someone selling tickets for a show at The Grisly Pear. He asked if we wanted to come in for the show. I jokingly said, “If I come in, I’m getting on stage.” My date said, “No she’s not, she’s not funny!” I can still feel my blood boiling at the thought of his audacity. We did end up going to the show. I didn’t get on stage. However, my crowd work answers were funnier than many of the comedian’s punchlines. It was so bad the host was laughing at me, more than some of the comedians. My date turned to me at the end of the show, and said, “Wow, you are funny.” And in my head, I said “Now I have to show you and the rest of the world, just how funny I am.” That was 10 years ago.

I hosted a mic (WCW – Wednesday Comedy Workout) and the second week I hosted a comic told me he was going to do new material every week. So, as the host, I was thinking, “Well I have to do the same,” so each week I came with new jokes. I would write down thoughts and things that happened during the week and work them out on stage. I then started a weekly show at a vegan restaurant. It was an early show on a Monday, so the stakes were low. This gave me the chance to try the jokes I did at the mic at that show and see how it worked on a real audience. I then could gauge which jokes I should keep, and which ones should stay in that vegan basement or needed tweaking. I want to find a routine like that again. I also want to start the practice of writing for 30 minutes daily.

I love trash TV. So, give me a Housewives from any city, a 90-day fiancé (don’t care if is the Other Way or Last Resort, I’m here for it.) It’s a great way to travel without leaving my house. lol. And I love studying people’s personalities, without having to actually deal with people. It’s a great escape.

First, I appreciate anyone who has taken the time to read this, especially if they have made it to the end. I would like to add, don’t let the world, your circumstances, or your past define who you are. People, especially those closest to you, will be the first to knock your dreams. But hold true to yourself, your goals, and your dreams. Don’t let anyone tell you who you are. Just show them. Unapologetically.