SPOTLIGHT: Karith Foster, National Speaker, Comedian and Author 9/18/2015

Stand-up comedian, motivational speaker, TV and radio personality, actress, author and entrepreneur are all titles fitting for Karith Foster. Karith is "one of the hottest comics to come out of New York City" according to both The Hollywood Reporter and Backstage Magazine who named her one of the "Top 10 Comics to Watch." Karith stepped onto the comedy scene in New York City in 1998 where she has since risen to the top of her game as a national headliner and became well known for being Don Imus’ sidekick on his nationally syndicated Imus in the Morning radio show on WABC Radio.

 Her equally successful speaking career of keynotes and presentations has had her wowing audiences inclusive of colleges and universities including her alma mater- Stephens College, The Woodhull Institute, and Tony Robbin’s NY Powerteam, and Own it Venture's Women's Business Expo. Karith has appeared on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, NBC’s Today Show and Last Comic Standing, VH-1’s Best Week Ever, Awesomely Bad…and Black to the Future series. You may have also seen her on BET, BRAVO, and The Travel and Fine Living Channels.

Her greatest triumphs include performing on Showtime at the Apollo (getting applause, not boos), doing live audience warm-up for the Oprah Winfrey Show and later as a guest on Oprah. Her comedy CD “Karith Foster: Straight Outta Plano is currently in rotation on Sirius/XM’s Raw Dog Comedy Channel. Karith credits her entrée into the entertainment world to her upbringing in the affluent suburb of Plano, Texas, where irony of all ironies she starred in her high school's otherwise ALL WHITE production of A Raisin in the Sun.

Two guesses who the raisin was! This self-described “Huxtable” has been nicknamed “Princess” by several friends who are convinced she’s actually a Jewish girl from Long Island trapped in that body—which would technically make her a JA-AP (Jewish African-American Princess). So, in her case it’s not “talk to the hand,” but “talk to the manicure.” She may never have cooked a full meal in her life but she has the Zagats Restaurant Guide practically memorized- that’s gotta count for something. Karith is bi-coastal residing in both NYC and LA. When she’s not headlining colleges and clubs across the country she performs weekly at a variety of NYC comedy clubs including: The Cellar, The Comic Strip Live, Caroline’s on Broadway, Gotham Comedy Club, Stand-up New York Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club & Café, New York Comedy Club.

When out West you can find her at Pasadena’s Ice House, LA’s Improv, The Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store and The Story Salon. Karith has also transitioned her comedy into a speaking career and is one of the most sought after speakers for colleges and corporations in the areas of: Diversity, Leadership, Women, Team Building and Motivation. She is also the founder of "Laughter Bootcamp" a workshop, which she leads for groups, social organizations,and corporations.

She is the author of "Laugh Your Way to Happiness: 101 Ways to Have a Great Laugh" and the soon to be released children's book "Lealah Finds Love." Karith was recently honored by being named spokesperson for the amazing organization Books for Kids Foundation- which promotes literacy among all children with a special emphasis on low-income and at-risk preschool-aged children.
Books for Kids creates libraries, donates books, and partners with literacy programs to develop the critical early foundation and skills which young children need to be successful in life.

Hear it on WSGZ on 9/18/2015