Janelle James stars in the scene-stealing role of Ava in the hit ABC series, Abbott Elementary, which earned her a Golden Globe Nomination in 2022. Her latest half-hour stand-up special is featured in Netflix’s The Stand-Ups. Previously, James has served as both a writer and actor for Showtime’s Black Monday, and Apple’s animated series, Central Park.

James has toured with Chris Rock, Amy Schumer, and David Cross, among others, and she took over the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival (now The Janelle James Comedy Festival) in Brooklyn.