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

(Image: File)

Comedy comes to this year’s Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit thanks to the “Hey Ladies” comedy show.  After first appearing at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and performing in its Comedy Wings Competition, funny ladies Amberia Allen, Zainab Johnson, and Hadiyah Robinson are ready to hit the stage at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa on March 4. Preparing to bring each of their unique, hilarious, smart takes on life to the final day of the Women of Power Summit, Black Enterprise introduces you to comedy’s up and coming game changers.

Amberia Allen

Practicing comedy for just a year and a half, Allen was in the midst

of pursuing her Ph.D. in sociology when she recalled her love of making people laugh. Inspired by her experiences with comedic speech competitions she entered in high school, the California native entered ABFF’s 2014 Comedy Wings Competition, hit the stage and won. “I think back to the example of Moms Mabley when I think of the type of voice I want to have,” Allen says. “I think about the way she really challenged the racialized and gender stereotypes of the time in her comedy, even in just her physicality. If anything I say can be in that vein of the courage it takes to have social commentary, and enjoy yourself, be funny, create a narrative and break barriers not only in your profession but in society— that’s a huge thing in comedy.”

“When I think historically, Moms Mabley, that’s the narrative that I think about in terms of women really going against social expectations to share their talent and subsequently effect some great changes in terms of racial and gender narratives in society.”

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

 

 

 

 

 

(Image: File)

 

 

 

 

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 …

 

Hadiyah Robinson

 

Appearing every Friday on Centric’s relationship show, According to Him or Her, Hadiyah Robinson was a finalist last year at ABFF’s Comedy Wings Competition.

Her knack for making people laugh at punch lines landed her on The Mo’Nique Show, the upcoming season of BET’s Comic View, and stages across the country. Focused on several projects for TV and film, she’s working on her passion television project Greenwood Avenue, based on the 1921 Tulsa Riots.

“We are three women with completely different comedic voices and just an opportunity to take those out and share them with platforms is a great opportunity for us to expand our brands,” she says of the ‘Hey Ladies’ show. “I think being a female comedian you face the same problems you would face being a

female doing anything. We’re always pushing back against what’s expected from women. I’ve had people come to me and say, ‘I don’t like female comedians, but you were funny.’ And I’m like, ‘What?’ I think the toughest thing of being a black female comedian is trying to establish yourself and your voice and not be boxed into what people think or say or what you should be doing or saying. It’s not about who’s going to let me in. It’s about how I push through and make a way for myself.”

Celebrating 10 Years of POWER! Join Black Enterprise at the Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm, March 2 — March 5, 2015, at Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach Marriott, Fort Lauderdale, FL. This exciting, executive leadership summit is designed to train, equip and encourage women to become industry leaders, learn career strategies, and discover proven work—life balance techniques. Register Now for your Early Bird Discount https://blackenterprise.com/wps. It’s time to Embrace your POWER. The Moment is Now!