Speakers and Entertainers

A.J. Jamal

AJ Jamal is a refreshing comedian who delivers quality comedy that is right for a family or a diverse audience. AJ’s name is recognized by many from his various TV appearances:  The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, HBO’s Comic Relief, Louie Anderson’s Comedy Showcase, Showtime at the Apollo, Evening at the Improv as well as hosting his own show, the ACE award winning television series “Comic Justice” on Comedy Central. In fact, many remember AJ from his early days as part of the comedic ensemble “In Living Color” on Fox.  As a former IBM computer engineer, AJ has parlayed his analytical and perceptive range of comic vision which evokes laughter the moment he touches the stage.  He possesses a gift of versatility that is evidenced in his every move, whether he is impersonating a wide range of characters or simply recalling some hilarious facet of life or human nature. AJ is more than simply a funnyman of comedy.  AJ is a human volcano of energy, wit and a clean style that the world has grown to enjoy.

Jonathan Sprinkles

Jonathan Sprinkles keeps it real when he steps to the mic. He's funny, his energy keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, and he pulls no punches. His style is interactive, not “act like you’re interested.” His humor and unforgettable stories show people how to be authentic, live with strong character, and avoid dream-robbers in everyday life. Jonathan, with his quick wit and down-home style of "teaching beautiful people to act like it" will make you feel like you've known him your entire life. His techniques help turn everyday people into extraordinary performers.

Leroy Williams

Funny, exciting, and side splittingly hilarious are just a few word that have been used to describe Leroy Williams aka “Hypno Bro”, comedy show. Williams stumbled into an open mic night at a local comedy club on a whim, and took first place. After winning his first gig Williams was hooked. He paid his dues the old fashioned way by working on the road and local comedy stops in his hometown of Houston. This experience proved invaluable as Leroy learned how to keep an audience in stitches. Today he is one of the most highly sought after comedians / entertainer in the country. Having appeared on BET's Comic View, opening for such notable acts as Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer and D.C. Curry. Leroy added hypnosis to his repertoire to the delight of audiences in clubs, colleges and corporate events nationwide. Williams is a regular on the Tom Joyner Morning Show’s Fantastic Voyage, and is guaranteed to have attendees at the Houston Black Expo rolling in the aisles.

Tommy Davidson

An actor, stand-up comedian, musician, and singer, Tommy Davidson’s exceptional range has made him a stellar force in entertainment.  Perhaps best known as one of the original cast members of the hit television show In Living Color, Davidson has parlayed that success into a flourishing motion picture career. 

He made an impressive film debut opposite Halle Berry in Strictly Business and next starred opposite Jada Pinkett Smith in the romantic comedy, Woo (New Line).  Tommy starred in Spike Lee’s Bamboozled, where he received acclaim and praise for his turn as “Womack/Sleep ‘N Eats,” a character which showcased his comedic and dramatic acting abilities. 

Tommy starred in Morgan Creek Productions’ Juwanna Mann (2002) and was simultaneously seen cracking jokes and doing what he does best, making people laugh, in THE FOX NFL SHOW, which aired weekly on Saturday nights.  Tommy co-hosted this new and unique show with football greats Michael Irvin and Tony Siragusa.  He next starred in the provocative urban comedy, Booty Call (Columbia Pictures). 

Davidson started his career as a standup comedian in the late 1980s throughout the Washington Metropolitan region, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, performing in various comedy clubs.  Performing stand-up in local talent showcases was where he was spotted by concert promoters, who booked him as the opening act for such major music stars such as Patti LaBelle, Kenny G, and Luther Vandross.  The next step was Hollywood.  He performed at many small clubs, including the Comedy Act Theatre, where among others, he met Robert Townsend and Keenan Ivory Wayans, who would later prove instrumental in Davidson’s career.  Davidson’s first national television appearance was a starring role in Townsend’s Partners in Crime. 

Wayans, who offered him the opportunity to audition for a primetime variety show called In Living Color, which became a cult favorite and a huge ratings success, then approached Davidson.  Davidson’s hilarious impressions of Sammy Davis, Jr., Michael Jackson, and others have become infamous.  In Living Color led to three Showtime specials:  On Strength of New York, Illin’ in Philly, and Takin’ it to DC, and a handsome film career such as a reunion with fellow In Living Color alumni, Jim Carrey in Ace Ventura II:  When Nature Calls.  On the small screen, Tommy’s starred as one of the leads in the Disney Channel animated series, The Proud Family. 

Tommy will soon be seen in the hottest film to come out of this year’s Sundance Festival, Black Dynamite with Michael Jai White.  He recently completed Chicago Pulaski Jones with Cedric the Entertainer.  He provides the voice for “born loser,” “harried father,” and “snack-food mogul Oscar Proud” in the hit Disney animated series The Proud Family upon which The Proud Family movie will be coming out in the summer of 2009.  He provides the lead voice of Will Smith’s up-and-coming cartoon series, Youngin’s.  Between acting jobs, Tommy travels across the country selling out in every venue he performs.

Kurt Carr

A protégé of not one, but two gospel legends—he was mentored by both Richard Smallwood and James Cleveland—Carr has carved a niche of his own in Sunday-morning liturgies, blessing worshippers with his unmistakable knack for choir-friendly melodies and a cross-cultural appeal second to none.

For proof, one needs not look further than Carr’s signature song, “In the Sanctuary”—also the centerpiece of his breakthrough, gold-selling recording Awesome Wonder—to realize his keen ear for the corporate. To this day, millions continue to sing the song across the globe every week, in no less than nine different languages.  “After the success of that song, I knew that God had called my music ministry to reach people of all races and all people who have an open ear for God’s message,” says Carr.   

Through the years, this calling to reach anyone with ears to hear has led Carr to write an armload of instant classics and standards for the modern church, including the bona fide hits “I Almost Let Go;” “For Every Mountain;” “Kumbaya;” “God Great God;” and “God Blocked It,” as well as “The Presence of the Lord,” the song that put Byron Cage on the map.   Kurt Carr has ministered in over 20 countries and was recently named honorary principal of a Gospel music school in Japan that boasts a “Kurt Carr” class of gospel music production!