Women of Power Summit: ‘Hey Ladies’ Comedy Show Set to Wow Attendees

Zainab Johnson

A New York native, Johnson moved her dreams of comedy to Los Angeles and immediately hit the improv and sketch circuit. Her success in making people laugh led to a slew of TV appearances including becoming a series regular on BET’s Hell Date, a late-night act on The Arsenio Hall Show, and appearances on BET’s Comic View and NBC’s Last Comic Standing.

She walked away as the winner of ABFF’s Comedy Wings Competition in 2013.  “How better than to show these women in power—women who run these businesses—that we can accomplish and do anything, and have the creative aspect met by women as well?” Johnson says.

When discussing the state of black women in comedy, Johnson says many are overlooking a key issue in terms of perception. “I don’t think people are having the discussion about [the notion that] women are ‘not funny.’ But more specifically they don’t value African-American women in a lot of areas of entertainment unless you are Oprah or you have to be oversexualized. I’m a black woman and a comedian. I only look at that as assets. And the fact that [some] don’t believe I’m funny and that [some] don’t believe black women are valued, I am going to defy that every single time. So I’m very proud to be a black female. Nothing great comes to us easy.”

Read more about these power women of comedy on the next page …