Tonight is the third part of our series Nisa’a/Women: Muslim Cultural Identity-Six Women on Stage and in Conversation. Nisa’a celebrates the powerful artistry of women with roots in Muslim communities in the U.S. and around the world. During extended engagements in the city, these artists will perform and participate in conversations with students at Baltimore City public schools and audiences at the Creative Alliance. The dialogue will focus on challenging prevalent stereotypes and building a deeper understanding of the vast artistic identity that is part of the extraordinarily diverse Muslim cultural world.

Zainab Johnson, a stand-up comedian and actress, is quickly being propelled as one of the most unique and engaging performers on stage and screen. Zainab’s comedy is based on her unique point-of-view, which was shaped growing up in Harlem as one of thirteen siblings in a Muslim family. After getting a degree in math and taking a job as a teacher, she quickly learned that she had a different calling. Zainab most recent breakout appearance is on HBO’s All Def Comedy. She has also appeared on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Arsenio, BET’s Comic View, MTV’s Acting Out, AXSTV’s Gotham Comedy Live! and just recently starred in a new web series titled Avant-Guardians, which will premiere on November 19th. She is a regular at the Improv Comedy Club in LA and the Comedy Cellar in NYC. In early 2017, ABC purchased the rights to a TV series (title, TBD) written by Zainab, which centers on a beautiful Muslim model as she inches towards her 30th birthday.

This project is made possible through The Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Arts Building Bridge’s Program.

The mission of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art’s Building Bridges Program is to advance relationships, increase understanding and reduce bias between Muslim and non-Muslim communities.

FRI APR 13 | 8PM | $13, $10 Members (+$3 at the door)