"Are you ready for the next comedian?"

"Damn...is she funny?!"

If you got the above reference you are truly my people and are definitely in the right place. 😄 Big ups to Def Comedy Jam. (this is classic Martin Lawrence right here! haha)

The woman of a certain age I’m highlighting this week that’s doing the damn thing is…according to the title of her New York Times Bestseller…LESLIE F*CKING JONES!!

If you haven’t picked up her book I suggest you RUN, not walk, to get it. And I’ll take it a step further, get the audiobook because you have to hear Leslie’s dynamic and energized tone to get the full experience. She’s animated and authentic. Raw and rhythmic. Chaotic yet cool. It feels like Leslie came barreling down your street in a ‘78 Camaro, screeched to a halt in front of your house, yelled out the driver’s side window, and said “Get in bitch!! We’re driving cross country cuz I got some shit to tell you!”

Leslie Jones has been in the comedy game since 1987 and has become one of the medium’s crown jewels. As a 6-foot-tall Black woman, she immediately grabs your attention. As a 6-foot-tall outspoken Black female comedian, she engulfs you like a sweeping wildfire flame. Jones paid her dues as a young comedian by working the comedy club circuit, making her way through the cheers and jeers as all up-and-coming comedians do.

During her rise to stardom, Leslie played in several movies, such as the 2006 Master P film Repos and the 2010 Lottery Ticket. But it wasn’t until 2014 at the age of 47 that Leslie’s star burst into the stratosphere.

In December 2013, Jones auditioned at a casting call held by Saturday Night Live who was looking to add an African American woman to the show. On May 3, 2014, Jones appeared on the Weekend Update segment. She also appeared on the first and third episodes of the show’s 40th season. On October 25, 2014, at age 47, Jones made her official debut as a featured cast player, making her the oldest person to join the iconic show as a cast member.

Since then Jones has played in an array of movies and television shows, most notably the “controversial” 2016 reboot of Ghostbusters. This movie was widely panned SIMPLY because it has an all-female cast. The patriarchal bullshit of it all. Jones also starred in the 2021 sequel Coming 2 America, the 2023 Good Burger 2, hosted the 2017 BET Awards and was featured in commercials for Allstate and Amazon Echo.

Jones’ impromptu and hilariously enthusiastic live-tweet reactions to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro caught the attention of a television producer who was one of Jones’ followers on X. (the platform formerly known as Twitter that was taken over by an overrated megalomaniac) This ultimately led to Jones being invited to Rio de Janeiro to be part of the coverage team.

Leslie also live-tweeted reactions to the TV show Game of Thrones. Do yourself a favor and look up Leslie’s reaction videos, you will not be disappointed!

Leslie's story is especially poignant for women over 40 who may feel like time isn’t on their side and society isn’t in their corner. Listen to the advice in this clip that she offers. The message is clear: stop quitting on yourself, pursue your gift, stay motivated, and most importantly…give yourself grace. As long as you’re on this side of the grass, it’s never too late.