Meet Hb “hbfromkc” Ridley

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hb “hbfromkc” Ridley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

HB “hbfromkc”, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I honestly don’t think imposter syndrome is able to be “overcome”. I think you beat it by accepting that it’s there. I’ve accepted the fact that the doubts I have about myself are not real, but are rooted in trauma and unfortunate circumstances in my life. Believing in yourself is an active choice you have to wake up and make every single day. The most successful, creative people still have days and moments where they don’t believe in themselves or feel like they aren’t worthy. The reason we’re (society) able to enjoy what these people provide to the world is because they didn’t let anything stop them, not even themselves.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

i consider myself a dynamic force in comedy with a motto of “laugh. think. repeat.” as a Kansas City-based performer, i host three original monthly interactive shows—Shots N Giggles, Smokes N Jokes, & Picture Perfect—& i also run the Java Garage open mic. this year, i was a writer & performer in Jamie Campbell’s “2124” for KC Fringe Fest 2024 & won Atlanta’s Girls Got Jokes Comedy competition in 2019.

as a board member & performer for Fountain City Comedy Fest ‘23 and ’24 & one of the directors of Black Comedy Fest KC 2024, i am deeply involved in the local comedy community. i have also performed in Kat Gerry’s “The Black Card Experience” in Kansas City Fringe Fest 2023 & San Francisco Sketch Fest 2024.

other credentials include winning The Bird Comedy Theater Trios Tournament 2024 in improv & scripting for various platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. i pride myself on myself on my love of words & writing. my ultimate dream is to be a multi-hyphenate entertainer and screenwriter. one day, i will produce my own tv shows as produccer and showrunner.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

the main three qualities/skills that were most impactful in my journey thus far would be 1. accountability 2. a passion for writing and 3. perseverance.

being accountable as a comedian is essential because you and how you behave are your individual brand. when you are an actress, improvisor, or a different type of comedic entertainer, you are typically working with a team. that team all plays a part in ensuring the entertainment being provided is not only good, but entices the audience to want to see more. as a comedian, showing up on time, showing up in general, communicating with your promoter, and being actually funny in front of diverse audiences are all components of being accountable as a comedian. accountability and dependability is why for this year i have been booked on paid shows almost every weekend.

being consistently funny can only happen when you have a passion for writing. when i say this, others may think I mean you have to pick up the pen and paper and sit at a desk to write jokes, no. what I mean is embodying a lifestyle where when you think of something funny, you write it down. it may not be “anything” but when you make writing a practice you may find that something will come to you later. and you should write that down, too. good jokes are written, great jokes are cultivated over time.

lastly, if i didn’t wanna disappoint my mom, i really would change my middle name to “perseverance”. i have endured multiple traumatic experiences, a 3 week marriage followed by divorce, spider bites, 30+ hours of labor, rejections galore, living in my car in the dead of an Atlanta winter…all while having to handle much of it alone. to this day i do not understand how i am still standing tall, still pushing forward because i will never forget the days where i didn’t think i would be able to go on. but i’m here, and i’m my biggest fan.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

when i feel overwhelmed, honestly? i take a nap. the older i get the more i realize a lot of times when i am overwhelmed, it is because i need to rest. my mind can go a mile a minute. taking a nap is an effective way to give my brain a break. some people draw, read or write, but me? ima take me a quick power nap to reset my mind and body. it’s extremely effective and sitting in the silence allows my brain to have a break; it’s always the best way for me to come back to whatever has me overwhelmed more refreshed.

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