Friends Like Us celebrates Malcolm X's  100th birthday! Join host Marina Franklin as she talks with Tamara Payne and Troy LaRaviere as they discuss the impact of his teachings and how they resonate today. Tune in and be inspired!  Tamara Payne sheds light on her father Les Payne's groundbreaking Pulitzer Prize-winning work, "The Dead Are Arising," and its revelations about his life.  

Tamara Payne is co-author of The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X written with her father, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Les Payne, published by Liveright. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and NAACP Image Award.

Troy A. LaRaviere is an American school administrator, educator and current President of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association. Prior to assuming his role as president, LaRaviere served as a Chicago Public Schools (CPS) principal. He began his teacher career at CPS in 1997. LaRaviere received both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education from the University of Illinois. LaRaviere served in the United States Navy in the late 80's. LaRaviere advocates for Progressivism, and has appeared in ads for Bernie Sanders and was a candidate for the 2019 Chicago mayoral election.

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. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'. 

 This Friends Like Us, Marina Franklin and Hollie Harper chat with the incredible Sumer Strawbree, a 15-year-old CEO inspiring young girls with her empowering coloring books and confidence-building affirmations! 

Sumer Strawbree, is a 15 year old speaker, author and affirmations authority. She helps girls unleash the power of positive "I Am" affirmations to improve their confidence and mental health.

"I Am"...two words that speak directly to your subconscious mind. Between 8 and 14, girls’ confidence levels drop by 30%. As Seen on, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, at LA Comic Con & More...

After she was bullied at school, this young CEO has independently sold over 10,000 worldwide copies of her Affirmations Coloring Books through her publishing company that features positive images of Black and Brown girls equating to 10,000 girls inspired. She teaches girls how to unlock their subconscious mindsets to bring out the SUPERHERO that is already inside of them, through her I Am Confident University™ Affirmations and Vision Board workshops, workbooks and books.

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. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'. 

Discover the magic of community-driven cat rescue in our latest Friends Like Us episode. Join host Marina Franklin, Becky Wisdom from Green Point Cats, and comedian Subhah Agarwal as they chat about cat colonies, TNR, and the urgency to help communities in the over populations of cats. 

Becky Wisdom is the founder of Greenpoint Cats, a leading Brooklyn-based animal rescue organization focused on TNR (trap, neuter, return). Her journey into rescue began in 2018 when she moved to Greenpoint and found herself living on a block with a crew of unforgettable feline neighbors—an encounter that inspired her to take action. What started as an effort to help a few street cats quickly became a full-time calling.

By 2020, Becky had left her career in marketing to devote herself entirely to rescue work. Her grassroots efforts sparked a growing community of animal advocates in Greenpoint and beyond, building a network of support and care for some of the city’s most vulnerable animals.

Her passion for rescue is deeply rooted in her upbringing, which included daily chores like caring for opossums and rehabilitating birds. With media coverage from New York Magazine, the Hallmark Channel, and several local TV news outlets, Becky continues to save lives—and inspire others to do the same.

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.

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. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'. 

Dive into Friends Like Us as host Marina Franklin talks with veteran comedians Ralph Harris, Keith Robinson, and Charles Walden. They share stories, laughs, and insights on what keeps them thriving in the industry. 

Keith Robinson: Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Keith Robinson, is considered a comic’s comic. He has captivated audiences around the world with his straightforward humor. He was a regular on Comedy Central’s Tough Crowd; and the co-host of The Wanda Sykes Show (Fox), His first hour special; 2014’s Kevin Hart Presents: Back of the Bus Funny can still be streamed on Amazon Prime, Peacock and Tubi. Keith has been featured in films such as Trainwreck and King of Staten Island.

After two strokes, and an extended hospital stay, during COVID, Keith marched right back to the stage to create his latest and most personal work yet, Different Strokes; his second hour special, picked up and to be released in 2024 by Netflix. Keith is currently working on several projects, including, feature films, television and tours.

Charles Walden: Celebrity standup comedian and actor Charles Walden has been doing what he loves for over 30 years and that’s entertaining his audience. Stricken by Cerebral Palsy from birth Charles doesn't allow his condition to limit or stop him from living his best life. Between gigs Charles has been employed by the State of Philadelphia for over fifteen (15) years. He enjoys traveling the world making people laugh. 

Charles Walden was raised in the rough and tough inner city of Philadelphia and had to struggle and survive like any other kid in the inner city. He got No breaks just because he had Cerebral Palsy. He was not babied at all by family, friends, or the community. He had to put his pants on one leg at a time like every other boy or man. He had to overcome many obstacles. There was a lot of mental and physical pain he endured from living and growing up in the inner city of Philadelphia. The death of his mother crushed him, but he kept going. She was his rock. Many years have passed since her death and the pain never goes away but he keeps going. Charles' greatest pleasure is when he's on stage performing as he gives his audiences the most inspirational laughing good time they've had in a long while.  Charles Walden is not embarrassed or ashamed of his Cerebral Palsy and has incorporated his condition in a unique way into his standup comedy show.  Charles is proud to say stand up comedy has giving him the opportunity to perform on some iconic TV shows and stages such as BETs Comic View, Martin Lawrence 1st Amendment and even Def Comedy Jam’s All-Star Season, to name a few.  Charles is a requested favorite to perform at  colleges, universities, comedy clubs, churches and military bases across the Country.

Ralph Harris - From humble beginnings in North Philadelphia to the bright lights of Hollywood, Ralph Harris has been living the dream as a successful comedian and actor, in a career that spans over thirty-five years, and remains in full swing.

Labeled by his peers as one of today’s legendary comedic talents, with a resume that includes notable acting experience. Harris also served as host of the Culinary Competition, My Momma Throws Down on the TVOne network. He also made his feature film debut in the Golden Globe hit DREAMGIRLS, starring one of his comedy idols Eddie Murphy, Beyonce´, Jamie Foxx and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson. Harris kicks off the movie as the Detroit MC that helps Jamie hook up with the Dreamettes.

Not one to slow down, Harris continued his film career momentum, immediately landing his second feature role in the film Evan Almighty starring Steve Carell and Wanda Sykes. Harris’ jump to the big screen comes after years of successful television work, including appearances on Seinfeld, The Parent ‘Hood, Nick Freno, Living Single and In Living Color. No stranger to late night TV, Harris has been featured on The Tonight Show and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Arsenio. Harris, is best known for his starring role in the ABC sitcom On Our Own which aired during the immensely popular TGIF block on Friday nights, the show has also aired in syndication on TVOne.

You can catch Harris on TV and the Web, in either of his previously recorded specials – Comedy Central Presents and the widely popular HBO Comedy Half-Hour, also on all major streaming music platforms, on his previously recorded album titled HICKEY HEAD.

When he’s not filming, Harris continues to tour the world and the sea, literally! Performing to sold-out audiences as a comedian, his first career and love. Harris’ comedy is character driven, a throwback to many of the greats including his other comedy idols Pryor, Cosby, Redd Foxx, Jonathan Winters and the list goes on.

Born and raised in Philadelphia… Ralph spends what little time he’s not on the road performing, at home in Los Angeles.

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. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'. 

Marina Franklin host comedy giants on Friends Like Us! Tune in as Ralph Harris, Charles Walden, and Keith Robinson share stories about their journey, friendship, and the comedic landscape today. It's a laughter-packed episode with comedy legends!

Keith Robinson: Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Keith Robinson, is considered a comic’s comic. He has captivated audiences around the world with his straightforward humor. He was a regular on Comedy Central’s Tough Crowd; and the co-host of The Wanda Sykes Show (Fox), His first hour special; 2014’s Kevin Hart Presents: Back of the Bus Funny can still be streamed on Amazon Prime, Peacock and Tubi. Keith has been featured in films such as Trainwreck and King of Staten Island.

After two strokes, and an extended hospital stay, during COVID, Keith marched right back to the stage to create his latest and most personal work yet, Different Strokes; his second hour special, picked up and to be released in 2024 by Netflix. Keith is currently working on several projects, including, feature films, television and tours.

Charles Walden: Celebrity standup comedian and actor Charles Walden has been doing what he loves for over 30 years and that’s entertaining his audience. Stricken by Cerebral Palsy from birth Charles doesn't allow his condition to limit or stop him from living his best life. Between gigs Charles has been employed by the State of Philadelphia for over fifteen (15) years. He enjoys traveling the world making people laugh. 

Charles Walden was raised in the rough and tough inner city of Philadelphia and had to struggle and survive like any other kid in the inner city. He got No breaks just because he had Cerebral Palsy. He was not babied at all by family, friends, or the community. He had to put his pants on one leg at a time like every other boy or man. He had to overcome many obstacles. There was a lot of mental and physical pain he endured from living and growing up in the inner city of Philadelphia. The death of his mother crushed him, but he kept going. She was his rock. Many years have passed since her death and the pain never goes away but he keeps going. Charles' greatest pleasure is when he's on stage performing as he gives his audiences the most inspirational laughing good time they've had in a long while.  Charles Walden is not embarrassed or ashamed of his Cerebral Palsy and has incorporated his condition in a unique way into his standup comedy show.  Charles is proud to say stand up comedy has giving him the opportunity to perform on some iconic TV shows and stages such as BETs Comic View, Martin Lawrence 1st Amendment and even Def Comedy Jam’s All-Star Season, to name a few.  Charles is a requested favorite to perform at  colleges, universities, comedy clubs, churches and military bases across the Country.

Ralph Harris - From humble beginnings in North Philadelphia to the bright lights of Hollywood, Ralph Harris has been living the dream as a successful comedian and actor, in a career that spans over thirty-five years, and remains in full swing.

Labeled by his peers as one of today’s legendary comedic talents, with a resume that includes notable acting experience. Harris also served as host of the Culinary Competition, My Momma Throws Down on the TVOne network. He also made his feature film debut in the Golden Globe hit DREAMGIRLS, starring one of his comedy idols Eddie Murphy, Beyonce´, Jamie Foxx and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson. Harris kicks off the movie as the Detroit MC that helps Jamie hook up with the Dreamettes.

Not one to slow down, Harris continued his film career momentum, immediately landing his second feature role in the film Evan Almighty starring Steve Carell and Wanda Sykes. Harris’ jump to the big screen comes after years of successful television work, including appearances on Seinfeld, The Parent ‘Hood, Nick Freno, Living Single and In Living Color. No stranger to late night TV, Harris has been featured on The Tonight Show and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Arsenio. Harris, is best known for his starring role in the ABC sitcom On Our Own which aired during the immensely popular TGIF block on Friday nights, the show has also aired in syndication on TVOne.

You can catch Harris on TV and the Web, in either of his previously recorded specials – Comedy Central Presents and the widely popular HBO Comedy Half-Hour, also on all major streaming music platforms, on his previously recorded album titled HICKEY HEAD.

When he’s not filming, Harris continues to tour the world and the sea, literally! Performing to sold-out audiences as a comedian, his first career and love. Harris’ comedy is character driven, a throwback to many of the greats including his other comedy idols Pryor, Cosby, Redd Foxx, Jonathan Winters and the list goes on.

Born and raised in Philadelphia… Ralph spends what little time he’s not on the road performing, at home in Los Angeles.

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. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'. 

Marina Franklin talks with guest Professor Marlene Daut and Nonye Brown-West. They dive into the incredible history of Haiti with Dr. Marlene Daut on the latest episode of Friends Like Us. Discover the power of education and representation in shaping our narratives. 

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.

Marlene L. Daut is an author, scholar, editor, and professor. Her books include Tropics of Haiti: Race and the Literary History of the Haitian Revolution in the Atlantic World (Liverpool UP, 2015); Baron de Vastey and the Origins of Black Atlantic Humanism (Palgrave, 2017); Awakening the Ashes: An Intellectual History of the Haitian Revolution (UNC Press, 2023); and The First and Last King of Haiti: The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe (Knopf, 2025). Her articles on Haitian history and culture have appeared in over a dozen magazines, newspapers, and journals including, The New Yorker (“What’s the Path Forward for Haiti?”), The New York Times (“Napoleon Isn’t a Hero to Celebrate”), Harper’s Bazaar (“Resurecting a Lost Palace of Haiti”), Essence (“Haiti isn’t Cursed. It is Exploited”), The Nation (“What the French Really Owe Haiti”), and the LA Review of Books (“Why did Bridgerton Erase Haiti?”). She has won several awards, grants, and fellowships for her contributions to historical and cultural understandings of the Caribbean, notably from the Ford Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies, the Haitian Studies Association, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Most recently, she won a grant from the Robert Silvers Foundation for The First and Last King of Haiti. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a B.A. in English and French in 2002 and went on to teach in Rouen, France as an Assistante d’Anglais before enrolling at the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a Ph.D. in English in 2009. Since graduating, she has taught Haitian and French colonial history and culture at the University of Miami, the Claremont Graduate University, and the University of Virginia, where she also became series editor of New World Studies at UVA Press. In July 2022, she was appointed as Professor of French and African American Studies at Yale University.

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. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'. 

Dive into an inspiring episode, as host Marina Franklin talks with Mayor Randall Woodfin and Roy Wood Jr. on Friends Like Us! From community empowerment to leadership and Randall Woodfin's new memoir, "Sons of Birmingham,".

Hear how these sons of Birmingham are making waves. 

Randall Woodfin was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and after four years in Atlanta earning his degree from Morehouse College, has lived in Birmingham ever since. He worked at City Hall (in jobs for both the Mayor and the City Council) and for the Jefferson County Committee on Economic Opportunity, attended Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and, after obtaining his law degree, accepted a job in the City of Birmingham Law Department. As an assistant city attorney, he also became an organizer, working on campaigns at the local, state, and federal level. After serving on the Birmingham Board of Education, he ran for mayor in 2016 with endorsements from President Joe Biden, Senators Bernie Sanders and Cory Booker, and Stacey Abrams. Woodfin won an upset victory in a runoff in 2017 and earned a featured speaker role at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. He is seeking his third term in 2025. Buy his new memoir: "Sons Of Birmingham".

ROY WOOD JR. is a comedian, an Emmy-nominated documentary producer for the PBS documentary The Neutral Ground, a correspondent on Comedy Central’s Emmy-nominated The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and host of Comedy Central’s award-winning podcast, The Daily Show: Beyond the Scenes. Spring of 2023, Wood guest hosted The Daily Show and headlined the White House Correspondents' Dinner to its highest ratings since 2017.

Wood co-starred alongside Jon Hamm in Paramount Pictures' long-awaited Fletch remake, Confess, Fletch (2022), and has guest appearances in ‘Only Murders in the Building’, ‘Better Call Saul’, ‘The Last O.G.’ & ‘Space Force.’ As a writer and executive producer, his development deals have included a first-look deal with Comedy Central for ‘Jefferson County: Probation,’ an HBO Max project, ‘1% Happy,’ an untitled medical field comedy for NBC, and an untitled single-camera comedy about the National Guard for FOX. Wood’s first Comedy Central one-hour stand-up special, Roy Wood Jr.: Father Figure, debuted in 2017, the same year he was named the new host of Comedy Central’s storytelling series, This is Not Happening. Debuting in 2019, his second Comedy Central special, Roy Wood Jr.: No One Loves You, remains the network’s highest-rated original stand-up premiere. In 2021, his third Comedy Central special, Roy Wood Jr.: Imperfect Messenger, aired hyper-recent material just two weeks after taping. Forbes declared he is “One of comedy’s best journalists,” Entertainment Weekly has described his thought-provoking comedy as “. . . charismatic crankiness. . .” and Variety Magazine named him “One of 10 Comics to Watch in 2016.” Wood began his comedy career in 1998 at 19 while attending Florida A&M University. In 2006, he debuted on network television on The Late Show with David Letterman. In 2008, he appeared on HBO’s historic Def Comedy Jam and was selected by America as one of the top three finalists on Last Comic Standing on NBC. He has appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyer, Conan, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.  He also performed on numerous USO Tours for our Troops stationed everywhere from Guam to Iraq to the Philippines.  At the height of the pandemic, Roy raised money for the displaced staff of comedy clubs through tipyourwaitstaff.com and Laugh Aid. In his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, his philanthropic endeavors include supporting Workshops, Inc., which enriches lives by helping people with disabilities and other employment barriers achieve their vocational potential. The DUBS Baseball Academy is an investment in sports to change lives. STAIR of Birmingham, where tutoring empowers students to read better and dream bigger. Also, I See Me, Inc., where the mission is to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline by increasing the literacy rates in children of color by engaging them in literature that reflects their culture and image.

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. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'. 

You don't have to be perfect to find true love! Join host Marina Franklin as she and funny friend Von Decarlo dives in to finding true love with dating coach Francesca Hogi in our latest episode. Learn how self-love and authenticity lead the way to meaningful connections. 

Francesca Hogi is a coach, speaker, and writer. She teaches people how to truly love themselves and find true love. She's the founder of The True Love Society membership community and the host of the podcast Dear Franny.  And her first book, How to Find True Love: Unlock Your Romantic Flow and Create Lasting Relationships is available for Preorder by April 7th .

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. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'. 

Marina Franklin talks with the first African American Rockette, Jennifer Jones and comedian Jenny Saldana. Jennifer Jones  shares her journey from a child to the first African American Rockette. Discover her inspiring story in 'Becoming Spectacular: The Rhythm of Resilience.'" #RockettesAnniversary #DreamBig

Meet Jennifer Jones, who has her new memoir: Becoming Spectacular :The Rhythm of Resilience from the First African American Rockette. Jennifer Jones is the pioneering first African American Radio City Music Hall Rockette! With her exceptional skills and infectious passion for dance, Jennifer has not only mesmerized audiences but also played a pivotal role in reshaping the performing arts landscape. Through grace and artistry, she has shattered barriers and championed diversity in what was once a monolithic industry.

Jennifer made her groundbreaking debut as a Rockette during Super Bowl XXII’s halftime show, showcasing unparalleled talent, precision, and poise that left spectators in awe. Her stellar performance on such a prestigious platform ignited inspiration and underscored the vital importance of authentic representation in entertainment.

Throughout her illustrious career, Jennifer’s captivating stage presence has won the hearts of audiences worldwide. Her unwavering commitment to her craft, combined with her natural talent, has garnered immense admiration from fans and colleagues alike. By boldly defying stereotypes, Jennifer serves as a guiding light for aspiring dancers, encouraging them to chase their dreams with determination and tenacity. In addition to her remarkable achievements in dance, Jennifer is a dedicated advocate for colorectal cancer awareness. As a survivor herself, she passionately raises awareness about this critical health issue, striving to ensure that discussions around cancer are inclusive and accessible to all.

In essence, Jennifer Jones’ journey as the first African American Radio City Music Hall Rockette is a testament to her talent, grit, and unwavering commitment to change. Her memorable Super Bowl performance has etched her name in dance history, inspiring countless individuals to embrace their talents fearlessly. Jennifer’s legacy transcends generations, leaving an indelible mark on the world of dance while serving as a beacon of progress, unity, and hope.

Jenny Saldana is a writer, actress, and stand-up comedian and a Breast Cancer Rock STAR and all around hotness. She wrote, produced and starred in Happy Cancer Chick, a web series inspired by her own battle with breast cancer. She appeared in HBO’s High Maintenance. Her video series, The Little Brown Girl Show can be found on Youtube and Facebook Live.

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. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'. 

On this Friends Like Us for Women's Month: Marina Franklin talks with Calise Hawkins and Mia Jackson, breaking down the impact of boycotts, the necessity of taking breaks, and sharing laughs with incredible women. 

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.

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. 

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. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch'.