ABOUT US
My Best Friend is Black is a live comedy variety show that focuses on providing a platform for Black performers. Of course, we encourage people of all backgrounds to come out and laugh with us! We also strongly encourage reparation donations from those with 0% melanin, especially if you have a Black Best Friend :)
MEET THE CREATORS
Mike Atcherson
Mike Atcherson is a stand-up, writer, and actor originally from the always sunny(and problematic) state of Florida and is now based in Chicago, IL. With his charming personality paired with his material that ranges from dating to absurd anecdotes, Mike can win over any crowd. He has performed in numerous clubs across the country including The Laugh Factory in Chicago, The Improv, and
Zanies. Mike is also a comedic writer, who’s humor pieces can be found on FLEXX, Widget, and Slackjaw. He is a single parent of four lovely houseplants and enjoys playing guitar during his downtime.
Marcus Banks
Marcus Banks is a stand up comedian based in Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from Boston University in 2017 and running out of couches to hop on in Los Angeles, Marcus decided to give stand up comedy a try and has not turned back. He’s performed at Laugh Factory, Zanies, and Comedy Bar in Chicago. In March of 2019, he was chosen to be a contestant in the Kenan Thompson Ultimate Experience Road to NYC competition. Additionally, Marcus hosts an open mic at Second City and helped produce a comedy show (Quick Fix Comedy) at the World Famous Revolution Brewing.
Chloe Mikala
Chloe Mikala is a Black Queer actor, comedian, and writer who loves talking astrology. As a comedian Chloe can be caught performing all around Chicago and comedy festivals. She was most recently seen in the SuperAfroWavy..Show at Second City, and was part of the 2021 Second City NBC Bob Curry Fellowship. As an actor she’s been nominated for a Helen Hayes Award and won Best Supporting Actress at the Houston Horror Film Festival. When she's not craving laughter and attention from strangers, she's rewatching Grey's Anatomy or screaming at sports television. Black and Yellow BABY!
Rep: Big Mouth Talent.
Justin Walker
Rho Hudson
Rho Hudson is an up and coming Chicago comedian. Originally from Lansing, MI. She has studied improv at the The Second City and The Annoyance Theater. In 2019 she was a contestant for "Stand Up NBC." Rho's brand of comedy can be described as goofy, optimistic and a little dirty! in her downtime she is working on her podcast, LifeStory; available on Spotify.
ABOUT US
Recently voted Best Comedy Show by The Chicago Reader - My Best Friend is Black is an all-Black comedy variety show based in Chicago that focuses on providing a platform for Black comedic performers. Our shows consist of stand-up, sketch, improv, games, and music. The show takes place every 4th Thursday of the month at The Lincoln Lodge at 8pm. Members of our group have performed on various stages such as Laugh Factory, Zanies, Second City, and have also contributed to The Onion.
Even though we celebrate Blackness, we encourage people of all backgrounds to come out and laugh with us!
MEET THE CREATORS
Mike Atcherson
Mike is a stand-up, writer, and actor originally from the always sunny (and problematic) state of Florida and is now based in Chicago, IL. With his charming personality paired with his material that ranges from dating to absurd anecdotes, Mike can win over any crowd. He has performed in numerous clubs across the country including The Laugh Factory in Chicago, The Improv, and
Zanies. Mike is also a comedic writer, who’s humor pieces can be found on FLEXX, Widget, and Slackjaw. He is a single parent of four lovely houseplants and enjoys playing guitar during his downtime.
Marcus Banks
Marcus Banks is a stand up comedian based in Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from Boston University in 2017 and running out of couches to hop on in Los Angeles, Marcus decided to give stand up comedy a try and has not turned back. He’s performed at Laugh Factory, Zanies, and Comedy Bar in Chicago. In March of 2019, he was chosen to be a contestant in the Kenan Thompson Ultimate Experience Road to NYC competition. Additionally, Marcus hosts an open mic at Second City and helped produce a comedy show (Quick Fix Comedy) at the World Famous Revolution Brewing.
Chloe Mikala
Chloe Mikala (she/her) is a Black Queer award winning actor, comedian, and writer. She’s opened for Dulcé Sloan, Bobcat Goldthwait, Adam Conover, Marcella Arguello and more. She's been seen on multiple stages and festivals such as Laugh Factory, Comedy on State, Comedy Vault, Madison Comedy Festival, DC Comedy Festival, and the Black Women in Comedy Laff Festival in NYC (Best of Fest Runner Up ‘23), just to name a few. Chloe’s performed with The Second City, where she was a Bob Curry Fellow. She also has a horror movie on Tubi called "Re-Elected," and *spoiler* she doesn't die first. Absolutely groundbreaking.
Rep: Big Mouth Talent.
Arlieta Hall
Arlieta Hall is a host, actress, improviser, stand up comedian, and first time filmmaker from Chicago. She is a 2021 Second City NBC Bob Curry Fellow who recently co-starred as Sadie on Showtimes' The CHI episodic. Arlieta is also a caregiver for her father who is a person with Alzheimer’s and takes the power of “Yes, and…” to communicate with him and using their story to make her first film “Finding Your Laughter” Catch Arlieta Hall while you can performing all around the city, zoom, and get a sneak peek of her upcoming documentary.
Daryn Robinson
Daryn Robinson (she/her) is a writer/comedian originally from Washington, D.C. You can see her perform with Baby Wants Candy: The Improvised Musical and Shamilton! The Improvised Hip-Hop Musical at The Second City, Improvised Jane Austen at iO Theater, and more! Other favorite credits include understudying for The Second City e.t.c. Stage and Touring Company, and interning at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (where two of her pitches made it to air!). Daryn holds an M.F.A. from Northwestern University and is represented by DDO Artists Agency. In her free time, she enjoys Bridgerton, books, and brunch!
Former Co-Founders & Co-Producers
Rho Hudson and Justin Walker