Today we’d like to introduce you to Black Comedy Fest Kansas City
Hi Black Comedy Fest, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Black Comedy Fest KC (BCFKC) was created after rejection of hoping to collaborate in the KC comedy scene for one big comedy festival to bring together improv, stand-up & sketch; turned into redirection to create a space for Black comedic creatives in said comedic fields.
BCFKC founder, Hilari Holt, gathered a small group of local comedic creatives to assist in creation of this first of its kind festival, held in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. Aiming to showcase both comedic talents of local and national talent as well as expose comedy lovers to historically Black spaces in Kansas City, MO they may not normally come by.
BCFKC was achievable through persistence, determination, community collaborations, and of course, Black Excellence.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Any kind of event planning, especially one with so many moving parts as BCFKC, requires the ability to pivot, adjust, adapt and quickly problem solve.
Some struggles being communication, selected talent needing to drop out, or not show, requiring creation of opportunities for festival talent to fill-in spots, a show & workshop needing to swap venues after scheduling conflicts were noticed either 24 hours before or the morning of. As well as a whole rainy, thunderstorming weekend with a few tornado warnings; however, this fortunately didn’t deter too many supporters and only two (2) events out of fourteen (14) events needed to be cancelled.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Black Comedy Fest KC is the first comedy festival in Kansas City, MO to showcase improv, stand-up and sketch, as well as focus solely on Black comedic creatives. It also provides opportunities for professional development with workshops and an open mic for all three comedy focuses.
We specialize in showcase local and national Black comedic talent in our headliners, as well talent selected for festival performances.
We are proud of the Black excellence assisting in putting this event together and the ones gracing out showcases.
Black Comedy Fest KC will return in Fall 2026, with more community & cultural events in addition to our already comedy packed weekend.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bcfkansascity.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcfkansascity/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackComedyFestKC
Image Credits
Henchmen Studios (KCMO)
