Black People in Improv Comedy Safety Fund
Donation protected
Black improvisers should not have to live in fear for their lives because of white supremacy and terrorism. Black members are speaking out and up about the racism they’ve experienced and our theaters have upheld white supremacy thinking. More people are starting to listen. Unfortunately, this bravery and spotlight have put Black improvisers at greater risk.
As a community, we must protect Black improvisers from harm and stand up to the theaters and people seeking to silence Black voices. We have seen BIPOCs threatened, harmed, and killed as a result of this health and racial pandemic. We have seen BIPOCs harassed, excluded from comedy communities, and marginalized for speaking truth.
In order to protect our neighbors, we are setting up an Emergency Fund for Black community members. This includes but is not limited to:
- Relocation (housing, hotels, etc.)
- Transportation
- Food
- Medical Bills
- Mental Health resources
- Hygienic Supplies
- Cell Phones
- Clothing
Here are some personal accounts from brave members of our community.
“One theater did not take my safety concerns seriously about a mentally ill community member. Now literally the same thing is happening with another white community member at another theater who is extremely mentally ill and obsessing over me and though the community is doing their best to step into action, dealing with the police, the legal system, and this mentally ill person harassing me is a very different level of danger and stress for myself and my family on all fronts with my skin being black.” - Anonymous
“One time me and a friend were followed by a racist on the highway as we drove for miles to our gig. Imagine having to go perform after arriving while still shaking.” - John Gebretatose
This fundraiser is organized by the Anti-Racism for Comedy Folx Forum produced weekly in conjunction with Socially Distant Improv. Members of the Panel for the Anti-Racism for Comedy Folx Forum include:
Jeanell Allen
Kimberly Alu
Joy Dolo Anfinson
Shiyan Animashaun
Langston Belton
Alexis Camille
Rosena Cornet
Coko Galore
John Gebretatose
Michelle J. Gilliam
Charles Patrick Gooch
Patrick Arthur Jackson
Will Luera
Jeraul Mackey
C Michael Menge
John Moody
Krysten Schmelzer
Dana Shulman
Marz Timms
As a community, we must protect Black improvisers from harm and stand up to the theaters and people seeking to silence Black voices. We have seen BIPOCs threatened, harmed, and killed as a result of this health and racial pandemic. We have seen BIPOCs harassed, excluded from comedy communities, and marginalized for speaking truth.
In order to protect our neighbors, we are setting up an Emergency Fund for Black community members. This includes but is not limited to:
- Relocation (housing, hotels, etc.)
- Transportation
- Food
- Medical Bills
- Mental Health resources
- Hygienic Supplies
- Cell Phones
- Clothing
Here are some personal accounts from brave members of our community.
“One theater did not take my safety concerns seriously about a mentally ill community member. Now literally the same thing is happening with another white community member at another theater who is extremely mentally ill and obsessing over me and though the community is doing their best to step into action, dealing with the police, the legal system, and this mentally ill person harassing me is a very different level of danger and stress for myself and my family on all fronts with my skin being black.” - Anonymous
“One time me and a friend were followed by a racist on the highway as we drove for miles to our gig. Imagine having to go perform after arriving while still shaking.” - John Gebretatose
This fundraiser is organized by the Anti-Racism for Comedy Folx Forum produced weekly in conjunction with Socially Distant Improv. Members of the Panel for the Anti-Racism for Comedy Folx Forum include:
Jeanell Allen
Kimberly Alu
Joy Dolo Anfinson
Shiyan Animashaun
Langston Belton
Alexis Camille
Rosena Cornet
Coko Galore
John Gebretatose
Michelle J. Gilliam
Charles Patrick Gooch
Patrick Arthur Jackson
Will Luera
Jeraul Mackey
C Michael Menge
John Moody
Krysten Schmelzer
Dana Shulman
Marz Timms
Organizer
William Luera
Organizer
Sarasota, FL