CALGARY – Calgary’s Adora Nwofor says being a black, 6’1 comedian can be a challenge, but the opportunity to make people laugh and educate her audience is worth it.
“Someone coined a term for me: It’s shock-wit, which kinds of rhymes with chocolate,” she said.
Nwofor describes being singled out in school: Taller than all her teachers, she was the size of a woman when she was just a teen. But perhaps it was this experience that gave her the courage to speak up for those who were bullied.
Get breaking National news
“She was never the child to see something or see a person being put down or abused and not step in,” said Nwofor’s uncle, Robert Walters. “She was always the defender.”
The courage to step up came in handy nearly a decade ago, when Nwofor was an anthropology student and her friend signed her up for a comedy show.
“I very strongly believe that your opportunity does not pass you, so I got on stage and you have five minutes and they turned my mic off at seven.”
As part of a blended family, she talks about her life openly as a way to knock down stereotypes.
“The family doesn’t have to look like the way people want it to. This is part of why I was in anthropology, because over the generations that have been here on earth, family didn’t just look like: The mom, the dad, the kids.”
You can see Nwofor perform March 7 at “The Revolution will be Televised” show at Festival Hall. Click here for more information.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.