On Juneteenth, NYLaughs proudly presents the Black Women in Comedy (BWIC) Laff Fest at Lincoln Center, a landmark event aimed at celebrating and elevating the exceptional talent of Black women in comedy. The BWIC Laff Fest is a celebration of the extraordinary talent and resilience of Black women in comedy. Bringing the 5th year of BWIC Laff Fest to Lincoln Center marks a significant milestone for Black women comedians. It’s a leap forward, a bold declaration that their voices deserve to be heard on the grandest stages and serve as a powerful testament to the importance of representation in comedy.
NYLaughs hopes you’ll join us at BWIC Laff Fest and be part of a movement that celebrates comedy, empowerment, and community!
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NYLaughs is excited to be back this summer with its highly anticipated series of free comedy performances, offering New Yorkers a much-needed laughter intervention! NYLaughs is thrilled to join forces with Lincoln Center for it’s summer programming for our fourth year, a celebration of collaboration and giving back to the community. Our calendar has expanded to 8 nights. Now New Yorkers have a place to laugh every Wednesday at 8pm. Best of all, admission to all shows is free!
This remarkable program is made possible by the generous support of various organizations. In addition to Lincoln Center, NYLaughs would like to extend its gratitude to the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council for public funding; A.R.T./New York; A.R.T./New York’s NYC Small Theatres Fund made possible with support from the Howard Gilman Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul. We thank the New York City Council for Discretionary Funding in addition to the Honorable Gale Brewer and Keith Powers for their ongoing support of NYLaughs’ programming and mission.
Please follow us for details on talent announcements. Talent line-ups are subject to change. Contact details and information for the public can be found by visiting www.nylaughs.org, calling 917-727-5233 or following NYLaughs on twitter / X @NYLaughs or Instagram #NYLaughs.
Lineup
Joanna Briley
Joanna Briley is a dynamic NYC-based comedian, actor, writer, and the visionary founder of BWIC Laff Fest. Motivated by the glaring lack of representation at national comedy festivals and within the bustling NYC comedy scene, Joanna embarked on a mission to carve out a space dedicated to spotlighting the comedic genius of Black women. Joanna serves as an advisory board member for “Stand Up Girls!, Gold Comedy, and Ladies of Comedy Association, tirelessly advocating for inclusivity and empowerment. Joanna is deeply committed to reshaping the narrative for women of all ethnicities, immersing herself in the creative process, and building platforms that amplify diverse voices.
Kerry Coddett
Kerry Coddett currently serves as the co-EP, showrunner, and head writer of the upcoming Untitled Yvonne Orji Stand-Up Special on HBO. Kerry is also a story editor on Showtime’s Flatbush Misdemeanors, where she appears as a recurring guest star. Kerry can also appeared on Showtime’s Desus & Mero, Pause w/ Sam Jay on HBO, and season 2 of Ramy on Hulu, in addition to appearing as a core cast member of The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show on Netflix. Prior to that, she was a staff writer on Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas, which was produced by John Oliver and aired on HBO. Kerry was also seen on HBO’s Crashing, TruTV’s Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks, BET‘s The Rundown with Robin Thede, Comedy Central‘s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, and TruTV’s Comedy Knockout. In 2017, Kerry made history and became the first female standup comic to beat out 63 other comedians in the Caroline’s on Broadway Comedy Madness Competition. She’s been a guest co-host on The Young Turks and is also the host of her own podcast, On the Chopping Block.
Chanel Ali
Chanel Ali gained popularity after hosting the Food Network digital series “Food Debate!” and being featured on MTV’s “Girl Code”. In 2019, she won the “New Face” award in the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival. Ali can also be seen making appearances on Comedy Central’s “Taking the Stage”, Refinery 29’s “Speak Up”, and on the Netflix series “Dash & Lily.” Her debut comedy album “Chanel No.1” debuted at #2 in 2020. Ali’s solo comedy debut was made recently when she released an hour long comedy special on Epix.
Rita Brent
Rita Brent is an award-winning comedian, musician, and military veteran. She has appeared on Comedy Central, truTV, Epix TV, LOL Network, Circle TV, CNN, and more. She tours as an opening act with her mentors, Rickey Smiley and Cedric the Entertainer. She wrote for the 73rd Primetime EMMY Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards, The People’s Choice Awards, and Stand Out: An LGBTQ Celebration on Netflix. In 2023, she became a first-time Writers Guild Awards Nominee in two categories.
Ashima Franklin
Ashima Franklin, a dynamic comedian who often opens for Katt Williams. She recently taped a special for Netflix and has performed on the prestigious Shaq All-Star Comedy Jam tour. Franklin’s television appearances include features on “Laughs TV Show” and “Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes,” where her charisma and humor have earned her a dedicated following. In addition to her stand-up success, Franklin has written for the TV show “Off the Chain.”
Vanessa Fraction
Vanessa Fraction is a powerhouse comedian and writer who has appeared on hit TV shows like “Man on Fire” and “Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks.” She can currently be heard as a co-host on the Nappy Boy Radio Podcast hosted by Tpain and seen in the movie Praise This on Peacock. Vanessa can also be seen guest hosting on the entertainment news show Dish Nation. As a stand-up comedian, Vanessa has performed on Def Comedy Jam , Laff Mobs Laff Tracks , and more. Her writing credits include Raven’s Home , 106 & Park , and The Mo’Nique Show. Additionally, she has appeared in the film Barber Shop 2. Vanessa’s hilarious stand-up comedy has been showcased on everything from HBO to Starz and Fox, but her proudest moment is releasing her own independent stand-up special titled “A Fraction of the Truth.”
Cherryann Trinidad
Cherryann Trinidad, a New York native is the 2023 “Best of the Fest” Women in Comedy Laff Festival. She has performed for audiences across the country, most notably at the World Famous Apollo Theater and Caroline’s on Broadway.
Leighann Lord Host
Leighann Lord is a seasoned, NYC-based stand-up comedian who has been seen on Comedy Central, HBO, The View, and in the Netflix Def Comedy Jam 25th Anniversary Special. She was named one of the 35 Most Hilarious Comedians of Diversity, was a national finalist in the American Black Film Festival-HBO Comedy Wings Competition, and received the NYC Comedy Award for the Most Thought-Provoking Black Female Comic. Leighann can be seen in Showtime’s Even More Funny Women of a Certain Age and her Dry Bar Comedy special, I Mean Business, has had over one million views.
Mugga Phoenix Host
Mugga has appeared in the SAG-award winning role of Reema Pell on Netflix’s most-watched original series “Orange is the New Black” She’s performed on DEF COMEDY JAM, SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO, BET’S COMIC VIEW 3X, and BBC’S CLUB CLASS. She with DEF JAM as well as COMEDY TROUPE SWG (a UK Based Comedy Troupe) and SISTAHS WITH GAGS. She’s also appeared in Lee Daniels’ Oscar winning film Precious and took to the skies with a major recurring role on NBC’s cult hit Manifest as Bethany Collins – the lovable attendant from that fateful flight.
