Radical Sabbaticals and DEI Successes

In this engaging episode, host Marina Franklin is joined by comedians Calise Hawkins and Jackie Fabulous for a lively discussion. They share their experiences of performing stand-up comedy in front of diverse audiences, talk about the unique challenges and laughter involved, and delve into personal and societal topics such as menopause and its impact on their lives and careers. Additionally, they address pertinent issues like the influence of AI on creativity, the effect of outdoor dining sheds in New York, the wild world of cryptocurrency art, and social media regulations for minors. Check it out! Calise Hawkins is a stand-up comedian and writer. She has performed her standup on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon , Nick Mom’s Night Out and she was a cast member of Oxygen’s Funny Girls. She has written for Comedy Central’s @midnight , Hood Adjacent with James Davis, HBO's That Damn Michael Che, and  Hulu's Everything's Trash. Jackie Fabulous is a stand-up comedian rated one if Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch for 2024, actress and writer who's been featured three times on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, America’s Got Talent: All Stars, Showtime’s Flatbush Misdemeanors, The Arsenio Hall Show,, That Damn Michael Che and much more. In addition to her television appearances Jackie's hilarious and affable stand-up can be seen across the country as she tours America's top comedy clubs. Her hour special “Menoplause” is available now.  Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf.  

Serene Cotter, and Violet Gray Join host Marina Franklin in a thought-provoking episode. They delve into critical topics including post-election sentiments, the challenges of modern feminism, especially white feminism, and the intersectionality in feminist movements. Violet shares her experiences in comedy, the importance of wit in roast battles, and her journey with Dungeons & Dragons. Make sure to check out Serene's insightful book 'Faux Feminism: Why We Fall for White Feminism and How We Can Stop It.'  Serene Khader is a political philosopher and holds the Jay Newman Chair in the Philosophy of Culture at the City University of New York. She is the author, most recently, of Faux Feminism: Why We Fall for White Feminism and How We Can Stop.  Violet Gray is a stand-up comic, podcaster, and proud Dungeons & Dragons player based in Baltimore, MD. She has won the Pearl Next Superstar Comedian contest and was featured on Night Train w/ Wyatt Cenac. Her comedy is best characterized as observations about everything from race, gender and politics, to sci-fi, fantasy, and tabletop roleplaying games. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf.    

In this Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin welcomes Lonnie B. Supreme, a talented jazz musician and composer, and comedian Nonyé Brown-West. Lonnie shares his journey pursuing his doctorate in Miami, and discusses the significance of his family's historical legacy in jazz. He emphasizes the importance of education, resources, and perseverance in music, while reflecting on his latest album, 'The Future is Bright.' The conversation also touches on the value of embracing one's heritage, the impact of influential musicians like Quincy Jones, and the challenges and rewards of pursuing a career in the arts. With insightful discussions on history, personal growth, and the current socio-political climate, this episode aims to uplift and inspire listeners. L  A N I  B.  S U P R E M E (b. 1989; New Orleans, USA) is an internationally-performing American musician, sound artist, and educator who plays with the practice and concept of lineage as a portal into past and future. Transmuting the tension between tradition and improvisation that is the philosophical foundation of Black American music, he creates sound installations, original compositions, and film and podcast scores that propel his audience into a bright future made possible by merging honor for and transgression of tradition.L A N I  B.  S U P R E M E has performed and presented at venues, festivals, and museums in Europe, the Middle East, and North and South America, including the Boston Museum of Fine Art, the Brooklyn Museum, the Domaine Forget Jazz Festival in Quebec, the Detroit International Jazz Festival, Jazz a la Calle in Uruguay, the Jazz Standard in New York City, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and St. Regis Hotel in Doha, Qatar. He has also worked performed with Rihanna, Ravi Coltrane, Ellis Marsalis, Rickey Minor the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Billy Porter, and many others. Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch. She has also appeared on Amazon, NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning on Sirius XM, and the New York Comedy Festival. Check her schedule on nonyecomedy.com or Instagram to see when she's coming to a city near you. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf.  

This Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin talk with Holly Harper and breathwork expert Jasmine Marie. Friends discuss the significance of mental health, particularly for Black women. They delve into Jasmine’s book, 'Black Girls Breathing,' which focuses on healing from trauma, combating chronic stress, and finding freedom. Jasmine shares her personal journey and the establishment of Black Girls Breathing, which provides accessible breathwork resources for Black women. The conversation addresses the systemic issues surrounding Black women's health, the therapeutic benefits of breathwork, and the impact of chronic stress. Jasmine also highlights the importance of community and creating spaces for Black women to rest and heal. The discussion is interspersed with personal anecdotes, practical breathing techniques, and reflections on the socio-political climate, especially following recent elections. The episode concludes with a promotion for Jasmine’s book and information on how to join the Black Girls Breathing community. Jasmine Marie is a speaker, breathwork practitioner, and founder of black girls breathing®, a wellness platform that provides Black women with tools to heal trauma in the body and reduce chronic stress and anxiety. An alum of NYU Stern School of Business, Jasmine Marie’s work has been featured in Good Morning America, VOGUE, Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Glamour, Nylon Mag, Black Enterprise, Oprah Magazine, Well + Good, Wall Street Journal, Bust Magazine, Goop, MindBodyGreen, Refinery29, Pix11 NY, The Cut, FoxSoul, Cosmopolitan, and PopSugar Fitness, among others.  A Special promotions available for friends in black owned books stores.  OFFER : Discount code  for platform to read the book with us for 50% off for 3 months FRIENDS50 discount is for  sunday balm® and the special promotion for a bookmark and nameplate/signed copy is linked here:https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/articles/black-girls-breathing-pre-order-bonus/ Hollie Harper is a comedy nerd from South Jersey. She is currently the creator and co-exec producer of Hella Late! with Hollie Harper on BRIC TV and a co-host of the nationally trending Twitter Storytelling Chat “BlerdDating.” Hella Late! with Hollie Harper was recently in the 2021 NYC Web Fest where she was nominated as Best Actress. Hollie was a semi-finalist in the 2019 NBC Standup Competition and has been featured on NY1, and in Black Enterprise Magazine, Thrive Global, Confessional Magazine and Black San Diego Magazine. Her popular sketch comedy show AMERICAN CANDY has played the Comic Strip, Gotham Comedy Club, BAM Café as well as the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. Time Out Chicago named them one of the five groups to watch. Hollie is a regular host for West Side Comedy Club in NYC and works with Gold Comedy and Stand Up Girls, two programs that empower young women by teaching them standup comedy. She was recently the talent coordinator and casting for “Blood Lassi” on Spotify, written by Pratima Mani, and moderated the panel for the Emmy Award winning, WOC editing team of Black Lady Sketch Show for The Black TV and Film Collective. She is also the Creative Consultant for the very successful Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf.

I noticed issues on Spotify so I am releasing this again.  This Friends Like Us, Marina welcomes Vanessa Fraction and Nonye Brown-West. We  discuss Vanessa's new podcast 'Action Fraction on Air,' which will focus on having fun with friends and exploring diverse topics. The conversation shifts to the impact of social and political issues on comedy, the unfair media coverage of Kamala Harris compared to Donald Trump, the future of Social Security and the peril Trump's economic plans pose to it, liberal dominance in Hollywood, exemplified by Zachary Levi's support for Trump and the backlash he received, and voter fraud claims involving nuns. Vanessa Fraction is a talented and hilarious comedian, actress, and writer who has made her mark in various forms of entertainment. 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 and television shows Last Call, Mann & Wife (BounceTV), Comedy KnockOuts (TruTV) and Tales (BET) Not only is Vanessa "Action" Fraction a talented entertainer, but she is also a certified self-defense instructor. She teaches her unique class called Kicks & Comedy, combining her love for humor with her passion for empowering others through self-defense. Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch. She has also appeared on Amazon, NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning on Sirius XM, and the New York Comedy Festival. Check her schedule on nonyecomedy.com or Instagram to see when she's coming to a city near you. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf.

In this lively episode of Friends Like Us, Marina talks with comedian Von Decarlo and Kenice Mobley. They discuss various topics, including experiences at the Edinburgh Festival, the importance of promoting health and exercise, and the humorous yet practical use of Depends. The conversation shifts to the political landscape, examining Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, the challenges of voting amidst controversies, and Barack Obama's message to black men about the importance of participating in elections. The hosts also cover the advantages and potential downsides of evolving technology, such as Apple’s noise-canceling earbuds and Meta's new glasses. Tune in for a mix of humor, personal stories, and insightful political commentary.  Kenice Mobley - Kenice performs stand up comedy around the world and recently made her late night debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. She’s been featured as one of Vulture’s Comedians You Should and WiIll Know, performed at the Netflix is A Joke Festival as part of the taped show “Introducing….”, and premiered her solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  Kenice worked on the BET Awards, By Us For Us (Color of Change),  and the Creators Program at Comedy Central.  She hosted Complexify on ViceNews, the Love About Town podcast, and Make Yourself Cry. Von Decarlo is a New York-bred stand-up comedian, producer, writer, and actress who has appeared in worldwide ad campaigns and national commercials for Disney, GNC, Match, and Carnival Cruise lines. She performed in Montreal for Kevin Hart's LOL Network as well as the Lil' Rel and Friends show at the Just For Laughs comedy festival, and most recently in Australia for the Human Kind Festival. Additional appearances include HBO's Pause with Sam Jay, Laff Mobb's Laff Tracks on Tru TV and HBO Max, CNN's year-end wrap-up special, The Jerry O'Connell Show on FOX, BET, BuzzFeed, The Breakfast Club, Angela Yee's Lip Service, Sirius XM’s Urban View and NBA channel, In Godfrey We Trust Podcast, and more. Von Decarlo is the Executive Producer of the documentary Killing Is Easy on Comedy Central as well as the producer of three posthumous comedy albums, Mr. P, Unreleased, and The Lost Files. Her debut comedy album, A Draggable Offense, is available on all major platforms, and can be heard on the She So Funny and Laugh Out Loud radio stations on Sirius XM. Look out for Von Decarlo in the upcoming RomCom, Switch Up, and in the indie film, Salesman, currently on Amazon Prime.   Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf.    

New Friends Like Us episode hosted by Marina Franklin features Kaneez Surka and Subhah Agarwal. Laugh out loud while they tackle today's hottest topics. With topics ranging from Kamala Harris to Melania Trump, this episode is loaded with laughs and thought-provoking discussions. Subhah Agarwal has brought an honesty to her comedy that will leave you saying "I didn't need to know that." Subhah has written for Netflix’s “Arsenio Hall” limited series, the "Plan B" movie on Hulu," and The Jim Jefferies Show"on Comedy Central, amongst others. You can also catch her jokes live at stand up comedy clubs across the country. If you don't want to leave your couch, you can see her late night debut on NBC's "A Little Late With Lilly Singh." She's also appeared on season three of HBO's "Westworld", "General Hospital," TruTv's sketch comedy "Friends of the People", and as herself on MTV2, Comedy Central, and Gotham Comedy Live. Kaneez Surka has produced and performed in her Netflix Special, 'Ladies Up', Netflix's 'Comedy Premium League,' and Amazon Prime Video's Improv specials, 'Something From Nothing' and 'Improv All Stars - Games Night.' Kaneez is also known for her comedic acting. Her short film, 'The Shaila(s)' was selected for the Voot Select Film Festival. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf.  

This 'Friends Like Us' hosted by Marina Franklin features comedians Akeem Woods and Mia Jackson. It's a lively discussion that covers a range of topics including societal issues such as: a Detroit judge handcuffing a teenager on a field trip,  North Carolina's Mark Robinson, New York City's Mayor Eric Adams, and the scandal of P. Diddy.  Mia Jackson is a bonafide Georgia peach (that's Georgian for “native”). In 2017, she was selected as a New Face by the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and Atlanta's Creative Loafing named her the Critic's Choice Best Stand-Up in the city. She has toured nationally with Amy Schumer and is a featured comic at festivals and clubs across the country. Her first stand up special aired in October 2018 as part of Unprotected Sets on EPIX. Mia has appeared on NickMom's Night Out, Viceland, Comedy Central's This Week at the Comedy Cellar and was a semi-finalist on Season 9 of NBC's Last Comic Standing. Her Comedy Central half hour special debuted in November 2019. Akeem Woods is the funny little brother you always (never) wanted — his comedy style will have you on the edge of your seat reeling from laughter! No topic is safe from discussion, whether it be the KKK or the hardships of growing up poor. Akeem is a regular at the Comedy Cellar in NYC, was a semi-finalist on Stand Up NBC, has been seen on Kevin Hart’s LOL Network, and just recently made his television debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden! Currently, you can find Akeem working on a new show for BET and at clubs and colleges all over the country. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf    

This Friends Like Us features Jenny Saldaña and Abbi Crutchfield. The guests discuss donuts and weekend activities as well as more serious topics like breast cancer awareness.  Jenny talks about her personal battle with breast cancer, including issues of systemic racism and cultural challenges faced by women of color in healthcare. Jenny's upcoming comedy show, 'Hooray for Boobies,' aims to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer.  We also emphasize the importance of medical advocacy, disparities in healthcare, and a shocking revelation about music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs' criminal activities. The discussion concludes with anecdotes about childhood curiosity, discipline, and the importance of autonomy from an early age. Always hosted by Marina Franklin. Abbi Crutchfield has been seen on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee on TBS, Broad City on Comedy Central, and she hosted You Can Do Better on TruTV. Her jokes on Twitter are consistently featured on best of lists by publications such as Paste Magazine and The Huffington Post. She has trained at the renowned Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre, taught at the People’s Improv Theater, and she tours nationally with her stand-up.  Jenny Saldaña is an award winning playwright, actor and comedian. She is also a 17 year breast cancer survivor and advocate.  Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf  

This Friends Like Us with host Marina Franklin features guests Dr. Donna J Nickel and Nonye Brown-West.  Dr. Donna J. Nickel, an academic from California, discussing her latest book on Claudia Hampton's contributions to affirmative action and black education. The discussion extends to contemporary issues, including the repercussions of ending affirmative action, historical context of race-based discrimination, and the attack on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives. The episode aims to shed light on the broader history of race and conservative philanthropy while examining current racial and educational policies. Dr. Donna J. Nicol Dr. Donna J. Nicol, Associate Dean of Personnel and Curriculum in the College of Liberal Arts and professor of history at California State University Long Beach, brings her extensive background in educational studies and African American studies to her roles. Her research delves into race, conservative philanthropy, U.S. higher education, and the history of African American women’s educational activism, with published works in notable journals and contributions to documentaries, showcasing her commitment to academic excellence and social awareness. Dr. Donna J. Nicol’s new book and biography  : Black Woman on Board sheds light on the remarkable achievements of Dr. Claudia H. Hampton. And chronicles the life of Hampton, the California State University (CSU) system's inaugural Black woman trustee, who later became the board's first female chair. Over two decades (1974–1994), Hampton spearheaded a relentless campaign to establish and protect affirmative action policies within California's public higher education system. More than a biography, this book gives readers a number of practical strategies for how to enact sly civility in the workplace and beyond.  Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch. She has also appeared on Amazon, NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning on Sirius XM, and the New York Comedy Festival. Check her schedule on nonyecomedy.com or Instagram to see when she's coming to a city near you. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf