Entertainment
American Black Film Festival Producers to Launch a New Comedy Event — Because They’re Funny Comedy Festival Hosted By Events DC
Published
3 years agoon
By
Willie DavidLOS ANGELES, – ABFF Ventures LLC today announced the launch of Because They’re Funny (BTF) Comedy Festival, a three-day event showcasing comedic talent within BIPOC communities. A spinoff of the American Black Film Festival, BTF will propel a new generation of stand-up comedians to stardom and showcase content in the comedy genre. The festival, programmed for comedy fans and industry professionals alike, will take place October 6-8, 2023, at The Wharf on the Southwest Waterfront in Washington, DC. Events DC, the premier host of conventions, sports, entertainment and cultural events in the nation’s capital, is the festival’s presenting partner.
The centerpiece of BTF is the “Next Up Comedian of the Year” competition, a contest to discover emerging comedians from around the world and guide them to successful careers in Hollywood. Up to 20 contestants will be chosen to perform at the festival to compete for a $25,000 grand prize and talent holding deal with a major studio or network. Comedians interested in the competition are invited to visit www.becausetheyrefunny.com for details. The festival lineup will also feature headline shows, new comic spotlights, celebrity conversations, screenings and exclusive parties. BTF will be promoted nationally, attracting upscale tourists as well as residents of the DMV market.
“We are proud to expand our event properties to include the comedy genre,” said Jeff Friday, founder and president, ABFF Ventures LLC. “BTF extends our 27-year legacy of supporting Black talent and providing pipelines for emerging artists in the entertainment industry. We are thrilled to partner with Angie Gates and the Events DC team to bring BTF to the nation’s capital for the inaugural event.”
“We love welcoming artists and visitors to DC. We also love uplifting Black creatives. We especially like when we can combine welcoming people to DC and celebrating the creative community,” said DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. “A lot of talented comedians have started and grown their careers in DC, and we can’t wait to welcome the future of comedy and comedy fans from across the country to Washington, DC this October.”
“Washington, DC is culturally diverse and inclusive, on top of being a hub for politics, social movements and American culture. The partnership with the American Black Film Festival is a great way to expand our entertainment portfolio to the District and its visitors while supporting future BIPOC talent,” said Angie M. Gates, Events DC president and CEO. “With our multiple theaters and wide variety of performance spaces, the comedians of Because They’re Funny are sure to feel at home and attract audiences ready for a good laugh and a good time.”
“Unlike any other city in the world, we have a dynamic, thriving local, national and international community,” said Max Brown, Events DC chairman. “We welcome the American Black Film Festival’s Because They’re Funny Comedy Festival and guests to see why the nation’s capital is the greatest place to live, work and play.”
The American Black Film Festival has a long legacy of supporting emerging Black comedians, dating back to its inception in 1997. Many of today’s biggest names in comedy have performed at the festival in the early stages of their careers including Kevin Hart, Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps, Craig Robinson, JB Smoove, Chris Spencer, D.L. Hughley, Sheryl Underwood, Earthquake, Tommy Davidson, Bill Bellamy and Ricky Smiley among others.
For more information about Because They’re Funny, including passes and submission information, visit – www.becausetheyrefunny.com.
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Entertainment
WATCH: FNN News Podcast en Español, Tuesdays at 6:30pm EST
Published
1 month agoon
January 8, 2026By
Willie DavidCentral Florida News
“Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker” Brings Diversity and Magic to Orlando’s Holiday Stage
Published
3 months agoon
November 6, 2025By
Willie DavidORLANDO, Fla. (FNN ARTS & CULTURE) – Orlando Community Arts, Inc. proudly presents “Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker,” an original adaptation of the classic Nutcracker story written by Beverly Page, published author and executive producer. This vibrant holiday production brings the magic of the season to life while celebrating the cultural diversity that defines Central Florida.
Audiences are invited to join Clare on a magical journey through her enchanting dream, traveling alongside the Chocolate Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy around the world — from Africa and Asia to the Caribbean, India, and beyond — before reaching the dazzling Kingdom of Toys.
Described as soulful, bold, colorful, exciting, lively, and delightful, “Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker” offers an unforgettable holiday experience for the entire family — filled with music, dance, and cultural storytelling that capture the heart of the season.
About Steglich Ross and Associates
Steglich Ross and Associates, based in Apopka, Florida, are premier experts in crafting and executing large-scale events that elevate brands and inspire audiences. The firm specializes in festival planning, marketing strategy, brand development, and creative web design, offering personalized solutions that help clients connect with their communities in meaningful ways.
Entertainment
Jeffery Lorenzo Williams: Defying Limits and Redefining Possibility
Published
3 months agoon
November 6, 2025ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – When you hear the word “disability,” it’s easy to imagine limits, restrictions, and barriers. But for Jeffery Lorenzo Williams, those words have no place in his vocabulary. Paralyzed at 13, Williams identifies as a person of determination — a term that reflects strength and capability, not limitation. His life has become a masterclass in turning adversity into empowerment, proving that the most powerful movement begins in the mind.
During an exclusive interview with FNN News, Williams reflected on the event that changed his life and the mindset that carried him forward.
“I never focused on what I couldn’t do,” Williams said. “I focused on what I could and I just kept moving forward.”
That perspective has shaped a career defined by reinvention. Today, Williams is an accomplished New York City real estate broker, motivational author, pilot, and footwear designer. Each title tells part of the same story — one of perseverance, creativity, and purpose.
Through his footwear brand JLorenzo’s, Williams designs adaptive sneakers that merge fashion with motivation. His collections feature empowering inscriptions such as “Be somebody nobody thought you could be.” He laughs as he recalls me being his first customer. “Each inscription represents walking not just physically, but walking in purpose,” he said.
His work has not only built a stylish, inclusive brand but has also redefined what representation in fashion can look like. Earlier this year, Williams brought that message to Daniel’s Leather’s Inclusive Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week 2025, joining nearly 40 wheelchair-using models, including Ms. Wheelchair America 2026, Latavia Sturdivant. The event was more than a showcase — it was a celebration of visibility and empowerment. “The energy was incredible,” Williams said. “It wasn’t about being different, it was about being seen.”
Beyond fashion, Williams takes his passion for breaking barriers to the skies. As a licensed pilot, he flies glider planes, something he calls the ultimate expression of freedom.
“Flying gives me freedom,” he said. “It’s proof that even when life grounds you, you can still soar.”
His memoir, “My Feet Are Off the Ground: Turning Tragedy Into Triumph,” chronicles his remarkable journey from paralysis to success. Proceeds from the book fund nursing scholarships, extending his lifelong commitment to giving back. Looking ahead, Williams plans to bring his story to new audiences through a documentary and a stage play, with his son, Jeff Jr., potentially portraying him on screen.
When asked if he would change his past, Williams paused thoughtfully before answering.
“Of course, I’d love to walk,” he said. “But if I hadn’t gone through what I did, I wouldn’t have been able to touch and change lives the way I have. That’s worth more than anything.”
Jeffery Lorenzo Williams doesn’t just live with determination — he embodies it. Through his work, his story, and his example, he continues to challenge the world’s perception of ability. His life is a vivid reminder that real barriers often exist only where others place them, and that courage, when paired with purpose, can truly move mountain.
In a world quick to define people by their obstacles, Jeffery Lorenzo Williams is a compelling reminder that true limitation exists only where we allow it.
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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com