10 Black Female Stand-Up Comedians Dominating 2025: New Specials, Tours, And Must-Watch Stars

The landscape of stand-up comedy is being redefined, and at the forefront of this seismic shift is an incredible wave of Black female talent. These comedians are not just telling jokes; they are delivering powerful, insightful, and side-splitting commentary on everything from motherhood and marriage to politics and racial identity, setting the standard for what modern comedy should be. With major tours, highly anticipated specials, and groundbreaking television roles, the year 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark moment for Black women in comedy.

From established legends like Wanda Sykes to breakout stars like Michelle Buteau and Dulcé Sloan, the current momentum proves that Black women's humor is more visible, more necessary, and more influential than ever before. This article spotlights the most essential names, detailing their latest projects and why they are the undisputed queens of the comedy stage right now, based on the freshest information available as of December 2025.

The Queens of Comedy: Established Stars with New 2024/2025 Projects

The veterans of the stage continue to prove their enduring relevance, using their decades of experience to deliver razor-sharp material. Their 2024 and 2025 projects ensure they remain central figures in the stand-up world.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

1. Michelle Buteau: The Fresh Special Drop

• Latest Project: Netflix special *A Buteau-ful Mind At Radio City* (Premiered December 31, 2024).
• Biography Snapshot: An actress, author, and comedian known for her warm, vibrant personality and candid material on marriage, motherhood, and body positivity. Her comedic style is often described as infectious and effortlessly relatable.
• Why She's Essential Now: Buteau kicked off 2025 with her highly-anticipated second Netflix special, following the success of her first, *Welcome to Buteaupia*. Furthermore, her autobiographical series, *Survival of the Thickest*, has been renewed for a second season, cementing her status as a multi-platform comedy powerhouse.

2. Leslie Jones: The Fearless Return

• Latest Project: Peacock stand-up special *Leslie Jones: Life Part 2* (Released October 24, 2024).
• Biography Snapshot: An Emmy Award-nominated comedian and actress, Leslie Jones is celebrated for her boisterous, unfiltered, and physical stand-up style. She rose to mainstream fame as a writer and cast member on *Saturday Night Live* (SNL).
• Why She's Essential Now: Jones's 2024 special, *Life Part 2*, is a highly current showcase of her fearless humor, continuing her tradition of delivering bombshells of truth and making light of life's most challenging moments. Her visibility on streaming platforms ensures her enduring influence on the next generation of African American comedians.

3. Wanda Sykes: The Touring Legend

• Latest Project: The "Please & Thank You Tour" (Running throughout 2024 and 2025).
• Biography Snapshot: One of the most respected and decorated comedians of her generation, Sykes is an Emmy-winning writer, actress, and producer. Her stand-up is characterized by a sharp, observational wit and political commentary.
• Why She's Essential Now: Sykes remains a pillar of the comedy industry. Her extensive 2025 tour schedule, "Please & Thank You," demonstrates her commitment to the stand-up stage, where she continues to detonate with her signature "bombshells of truth with a smile."

4. Tiffany Haddish: Funny & Fearless

• Latest Project: "Funny & Fearless Tour" (2025) and Peacock docuseries *TIFFANY HADDISH GOES OFF* (November 2024).
• Biography Snapshot: A Grammy and Emmy winner, Haddish is known for her high-energy, storytelling-driven comedy that often draws from her personal life and upbringing. Her breakthrough came with the film *Girls Trip*.
• Why She's Essential Now: Despite a relatively lower profile in 2024, Haddish returned to the spotlight with her 2025 tour and a new Peacock docuseries that chronicles her four-week girls' trip in Africa, proving her ability to blend stand-up with compelling, real-life content.

The New Guard: Rising Stars and Multi-Hyphenates

The current generation of Black female comedians is breaking down the limitations of what a comedian is "supposed to be." These artists are leveraging social media, sketch comedy, and television to open up new spaces and offer diverse perspectives on race, gender, and culture.

5. Dulcé Sloan: From Correspondent to Headliner

• Latest Project: Announced 2025 Comedy Tour and 2024 memoir, *Hello, Friends!*
• Biography Snapshot: A sharp, fast-rising voice in comedy, Dulcé Sloan is best known as a former correspondent on *The Daily Show* with Trevor Noah. Her comedy is a signature blend of commentary and charm, tackling social and political issues with unmatched wit.
• Why She's Essential Now: Leaving her correspondent role has allowed Sloan to focus on her solo career, including her extensive 2025 tour. Her 2024 memoir further establishes her as a significant cultural commentator, cementing her place among the top African American comedians.

6. Ego Nwodim: The SNL Alum's Next Chapter

• Latest Project: Announced departure from *Saturday Night Live* (SNL) in 2025.
• Biography Snapshot: An actress and comedian who joined the SNL cast in 2018. Nwodim is celebrated for her incredible range in sketch comedy and character work, including her viral "Lisa from Temecula" sketch.
• Why She's Essential Now: Her 2025 departure from SNL, following seven seasons, signals a major shift toward independent projects, likely including a return to her stand-up roots, which she performed before joining the show. This move positions her as a highly sought-after talent in 2025.

7. Nicole Byer: The Hosting & Acting Queen

• Latest Project: Starring role in the 2024 satirical rom-com *The American Society of Magical Negroes* and upcoming film *Summer of...*
• Biography Snapshot: An actress, writer, and comedian widely known as the host of the hit Netflix baking show *Nailed It!* Byer’s comedy is characterized by its candidness on body image, dating, and race, often delivered with a self-deprecating yet confident charm.
• Why She's Essential Now: While maintaining her hosting duties, Byer’s move into major film roles in 2024 and 2025, where she tackles complex tropes with satirical wit, highlights her versatility beyond the stand-up stage, making her a crucial figure in the Black women in comedy movement.

The Broadening Scope of Black Women's Humor

The impact of Black female comedians extends far beyond the traditional stand-up club. They are using their platforms to challenge norms and bring previously marginalized voices to the mainstream. This cultural marketplace is richer because of the diversity of their voices.

8. Quinta Brunson: The Stand-Up Turned Mogul

While primarily known as the creator and star of the Emmy-winning series *Abbott Elementary*, Quinta Brunson got her start as a stand-up comedian in Los Angeles, performing at venues like the Laugh Factory. Her early stand-up material, which included bits on being short and relatable observations, laid the groundwork for her observational, character-driven humor that has now captivated millions on network television. Her success demonstrates the powerful trajectory possible for a modern African American comedian.

• The Facts Of Life Cast Where Are Eastlands Girls Now 2024 Updates 2tx8p

9. Zainab Johnson: The Breakout Star

Zainab Johnson is one of the most exciting new voices. She debuted her first one-hour comedy special, *Hijabs Off*, on Amazon Prime Video and is a series regular on the hit Amazon Original series *Upload*. Her comedy tackles Muslim representation and the experience of Black women in a unique, intelligent, and often improvised way, making her a must-watch rising black female comedian in 2025.

10. Tacarra Williams: The Touring Force

Known as a "force to be reckoned with," Bronx native Tacarra Williams is actively touring in 2025. Her material is grounded in real-life issues, from family and dating to the realities of being a parent. Her consistent presence on the road, alongside featured comic Mieka J, solidifies her as a dedicated stand-up artist carrying the torch for raw, relatable African American comedy.

The Topical Authority: Why Black Female Comedians Are Necessary

The current visibility of Black female comedians is a culmination of decades of work by pioneers like Marsha Warfield, who paved the way for the current generation. Today's comedians are not limited to a single style; they offer a rich tapestry of comedic perspectives.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

• Breaking Stereotypes: Comedians like Michelle Buteau and Nicole Byer challenge tropes by unapologetically discussing body image and refusing to "code switch," thereby reshaping the cultural narrative.
• Unfiltered Truth: The work of Leslie Jones and Wanda Sykes provides an unfiltered look at politics, race relations, and young adulthood, often using "dark humor" to address societal judgments.
• Diverse Voices: The inclusion of entities like Marina Franklin (*Single Black Female*) and Daphnique Springs, who have recent specials, highlights the diversity of voices and experiences within this demographic, from observational comedy to character-driven stand-up.

The collective work of these 15+ influential figures—including Tiffany Haddish, Leslie Jones, Wanda Sykes, Nicole Byer, Michelle Buteau, Dulcé Sloan, Ego Nwodim, Quinta Brunson, Zainab Johnson, Tacarra Williams, Marsha Warfield, Ziwe Fumudoh (known for her satirical interviews), Aida Rodriguez, Kalea McNeill, and Anisa Nandaula—is transforming the industry. With new specials, tours, and projects constantly being announced, 2025 is a testament to the powerful, enduring, and essential nature of Black female stand-up comedians.