Black Laughs Matter is a special comedy show taking place Sunday, December 6th to raise funds for the St. Joseph’s Grand Lodge in North Portland, a key gathering place for the black community that is under threat of closing its doors due to tens of thousands of dollars in fines that have been imposed by the city. Black Laughs Matter will be hosted by Nathan Brannon and features comedians The Real Hyjinx, Jeremy Eli, Anthony Robinson, Alyssa Yeoman, Ed Black and Curtis Cook with musical guests Brannon Rockwell-Charland and Jabulani Leffall and Benjamin Evans of the band Free! Mason Jar.
We were pleased to be joined in this episode by Nathan Brannon and Ed Black, as well as one of the organizers of the Black Laughs Matter show, Donovan Smith of the apparel and lifestyle brand Ignorant/Reflections. We talked with Nathan, Ed and Donovan about the “weirdness” of gentrification, what effect it’s had on Portland’s black community and how if you think gentrification doesn’t affect you… you’re wrong.
Come check out Black Laughs Matter on Sunday, Dec. 6th at the St. Joseph’s Grand Lodge at 3503 N. Mississippi Ave. Tickets are $15 and you can get advance tickets here.
Follow Nathan on Twitter @nathanbrannon and listen to his podcast The Hamster Village on iTunes. Follow Ed Black on Twitter and on Instagram @ed20black and Donovan on Instagram @ignorantreflections.