Meet Rhonda Hansome

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rhonda Hansome a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rhonda, we sincerely appreciate you joining us today and agreeing to talk about some very personal topics. So, to kick things off, let’s talk about a tough one – divorce. Can you talk to us about how you overcame divorce?

I overcame divorce with great difficulty. We were intelligent, articulate Brooklyn teenagers. He was from Coney Island, I was Bed-Stuy born. We shared an ideology and outrage over American society’s systemic injustice. Romance flamed by feelings and hormones at an intensity only high school sweethearts experience led to marriage, as soon as I was of legal age. Our journey into adulthood began.

During our thirty years of shared life experiences, including our handsome Dartmouth-educated son, we’d grown and somehow grown apart. After all the paperwork was signed, facing the world alone for the first time in my life was daunting, devastating, depressing. Much to my dismay, I was the exact opposite of the gay divorcee. I was lonely, unemployed and subsisting in an emotional, and financial abyss.

I returned to the only work in which I’d flourished, standup comedy. But now the comedy gatekeepers were youngsters who didn’t know or care about my years opening for stars like Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, The Pointer Sisters, nor my decades of comedy in the Catskills and Atlantic City resorts.

Somehow, I lived through the humiliation of not being recognized at New York City clubs where in the previous century I was lauded and headlined. Time, persistence and patience with myself were invaluable as I learned to navigate multiple new frontiers, including the digital world. Practicing self-grace and mindful behavior led me to a renewed understanding of myself as my own best resource and aid to others.

How rewarding now, to feel secure in my accomplishments as a comedian, theater director, storyteller and coach. How delightful to be a septuagenarian meditating on my unlimited future and aging magnificently.

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

I am so excited about the renaissance in this chapter of my life. I finally redid my website, www.RhondaHansome.com, where I’ll soon have merchandise available that’s based on my Facebook cartoons called Politoonitics, that I write with illustrator Scott Williams.

After decades in the entertainment industry, I finally incorporated to be eligible for small business benefits.

I love writing one-liners for the Politipod podcasts (available on SoundCloud) on which I also write and anchor my own #RealNewz segment. This has been so invigorating for me that I’ve spun Real Newz into an independent animated news series.

I was delighted to receive a standing ovation at the recent International Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem NC, for portraying the comedy icon, Moms Mabley in the Garland Lee Thompson Sr. Reading Series. Also at the festival my own play “C.P.R. A Love Tragedy?” was directed by Garland Thompson Jr. and where I also directed Don Mays’ play, “Same Difference.”

I look forward to guiding and experiencing the writing talent of those who register for my Solo Show Development Workshop and comedy coaching that I conduct online and in-person. Registration details are available on my website.

This June I received an award from the 5th annual Black Women In Comedy Laff Fest, to honor my Pioneering Excellence in Comedy for 25+ Years. I’m excited to again produce my comedy show, “Laughs Likely!”, and perform standup in the next festival scheduled for Black History / Women’s History Month in 2025.

In addition to my work as a director for the Frank Silvera Writers Workshop, I’m excited about my collaboration with its Executive Artistic Director, Garland Thompson Jr., on the development of my play “C.P.R. A Love Tragedy?” Based on true events, this interracial romance is set in the Brooklyn police precinct where an incident of police brutality rocked New York City and ignited weeks of protest.

I’d like your readers to visit my website for news of my shows, sign up for my newsletter and submit ideas for #AgingMagnificently, my upcoming video blog to Praise Older Women and their Champions.
If your readers are inclined, I’d love a follow-on Facebook @Rhonda Hansome Comedy, on X @RhondaHansome, on IG @rhondafull and on TikTok @LoBehold100
On SiriusXM Progress Channel 127, every Monday night your readers can catch #RadioRhonda on John Fugelsang’s “Tell Me Everything” for my #HansomeMonday segment around 10 PM.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three qualities that were and continue to be most impactful on my journey?
1. I’d say therapy. #ILoveMYBlackTherapist who has helped me look at myself from the most caring and positive point of view.
2. Vigilant self-care, thereby giving myself grace in the face of disappointment or perceived failure.
3. Giving kind thoughts and deeds whenever possible to others and yourself.

The advice I have for folks who are early in their journey is something I’ve taken from comedian Katt Williams: “Look out for your number 1 star player!” Whatever that means without hurting or demeaning others, do it!

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

If anything I’ve said resonates with a producer, manager, agent, artist or entity that allows me to be my authentic self in collaboration, I’m down with them!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

N/A

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your