Bio as an Interview

I’ve never believed a life can be summed up in a neat block of text. Stories live in rhythm and exchange — in the back-and-forth that brings out details you might not expect. That’s why I’ve chosen to frame this bio as a conversation. The questions invite me to reflect on where I’ve been, what shaped me, and where I’m headed. From comedy stages to historic music venues, from coding apps to writing novels, my path has always been about expression and completion. This format felt like the most honest way to share not just what I do, but how I see the world. Thank you to those friends who submitted the questions to be answered. (You know who you are.)

Where did your love of storytelling first begin?
I come from a family of narrators. My mother can’t tell a story without setting the scene and doing most of the voices. My father has a gift for sharp, efficient, informed communication. I couldn’t help but absorb a bit of both.

How did stand-up comedy shape the way you see the world?
You can’t find the humor in anything unless you understand it. Comedy is my way of making sure I’m seeing what I’m seeing. When it gets a laugh, it’s because others may see and feel it too.

You just released a novel — what sparked that story for you?
I’m in love with historical fiction. It’s a golden opportunity to illuminate the past for contemporary eyes.

After hearing about a potential Negro League series for Apple TV, I wrote a spec script for consideration. When the project evaporated during development, I was left with an original story I was proud of. A personal hero advised me it might have a life as a novel. I wasted no time turning that into reality, and I’m grateful for the advice.

What do you find connects your work as a comedian, musician, and writer?
A sensibility that comes from being a military brat and a pop culture junky. I’ve seen life from many different points of view, and with so many random references, I have plenty of ways to express them.

Before comedy and writing, you built a career in tech — what kind of work were you doing then?
I specialized in email marketing development.

I did it for political campaigns, academic publishers, and major market advertising campaigns — clients like Nestlé, Bayer, Hyundai, and others.

In 2009, it brought me to the NAACP where I worked on the Troy Davis death penalty case. We helped to get his second stay of execution, though we eventually lost that battle.

While there, I also developed an app allowing people to report police misconduct directly to the organization and to local chapter presidents.

Who or what inspires your creative drive?
In comedy: Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Tony Woods, DL Hughley, Roy Wood Jr. These are men whose childhoods gave them the chance to hear how different communities saw the same news stories growing up. It’s a beautiful thing to go anywhere and naturally be who you are without having to code switch. But it doesn’t come overnight.

You’ve played at iconic venues like CBGBs and Bohemian Caverns. What do you carry with you from those stages?
If you perform because you love your craft, you can bond with others who truly love the craft as well.

For example, we played almost the same set between an R&B club in DC and a legendary punk rock club in New York — and we got the same energetic reception in both venues. That might be a result of the varied environments from my childhood.

What’s been one of the hardest lessons you’ve learned along the way?
There is no substitute for time on stage. You can’t mathematically or scientifically cut corners. Get on a mic—or don’t. But if you don’t, you don’t get to complain if you’re not getting better.

What does success look like for you right now?
Having my work resonate in a way that changes public perception.

It’s one thing to get a laugh; it’s another to laugh and leave feeling different about something you thought you knew.

How does your background in music and app development show up in your creative work today?
Producing albums taught me how to complete things. To go from visualized concept to released product isn’t easy but it’s rewarding. Once you have that feeling, you want to replicate it as often as possible.

Hell, I coded this website.

If someone’s new to your work, where should they start?
Shadowball on the Hill. That novel is where my creative output took a leap. Then the comedy album 24 & Me — it’s honest and thoughtful, but considerably lighter.

What keeps you coming back to the stage or the page?
I’m still growing an audience as I’m growing as an artist. You can’t grow if you’re not producing.

What’s next on your horizon?
Producing my first stage play, Monitor v Merrimack.