In the Black 2.0:
THE EAST CANADA EDITION
Fri MAY 8 - 7PM
Harold shenkman hall
Shenkman Arts Centre
245 Centrum Blvd
Ottawa
In the Black explores the connections that our Black-identifying performers have to their parts of Canada. It launched in 2025. This May is our second edition and we’re featuring performers with connections EAST of Ottawa — including the Maritimes. The 2026 edition is called “In the Black 2.0”.
New this year: after we pay our performers and crew – half of this show’s proceeds will be donated to one or more local charities selected by our lineup.
This event is produced by: Dawn Xanklin Comedy. Tickets to be available through the Shenkman Arts Centre Box Office, by April 10.
News Release: In the Black comedy returns May 8
(PDF, 88 KB)Last Year’s Highlights: In The Black 2025
In the Black Producer, Dawn Xavier-Franklin (Comedian Dawn Xanklin).
Vendor & Sponsor Opportunities
Partner with In the Black 2.0 and connect your brand with an engaged, diverse audience. Showcase your business, build community, and align with a dynamic cultural event celebrating Black voices in Canada. Limited sponsor and vendor spots available. Secure your place and grow your impact today.
Meet The 2026 Lineup
Samson imanirambonas
(he/him)Samson Imanirambonas is from a small town in Prince Edward Island. He grew up speaking French and has seven siblings, all with their own unique personalities. At 19, he moved to Ottawa to pursue comedy. Since then, he has learned a lot, travelled to new places, and met great people both in and out of the industry.
The Velvet Duke
(they/them)The Velvet Duke is a musical comedian and Canada's premier spontaneous balladeer. With their witty parody lyrics crafted on the spot, they've entertained crowds at Festivals across North America (and now the UK!) — Pride, Fringe, and Improv, Velvet does them all. They are the creator-producer of “All Request Radio“. While this is their first stand-up show in Ottawa, they've had regular appearances at Gay AF, Comic Sans, Black Sheep Comedy, Uncloseted Comedy, and other shows in Southern Ontario.
Xavior Kayvon Gough is an African Nova Scotian multidisciplinary artist and storyteller from East Preston, based in Ottawa. Through poetry, visual art, and music, he creates immersive work exploring freedom, reflection, and growth, fostering dialogue and community connection through performances, exhibitions, and his bi- monthly Say It Loud! open mic.
(he/him)Xavior Kayvon Gough
Janelle Niles is a Two-spirit Black - Mi’kmaq woman from Sipekne'katik (seh-beh-gen-nehh-gah-dii), First Nation in Nova Scotia. She has performed for many festivals such as Just For Laughs, Winnipeg Comedy Festival and Crackup Comedy Festival. She’s also appeared on Match Game on ABC. Family Feud Canada, CTV’s Battle of the Generations and APTN’s Michif Country. Janelle is a full-time stand-up comedian, EMCEE, content creator, TV Personality and producer of Got Land? Indigenous comedy show. She hopes one day to perform in New York City. Her humour is described as eccentric yet captivating.
(she/her)Janelle Niles
Daphney Joseph is a bilingual actor, comedian and writer originally from Montréal. She has performed all over North America in various festivals like Harbourfront's BRAVE Festival, Chicago Comedy Festival, Boston Comedy Festival, Montreal SketchFest, The Nubian Show, ZooFest and many more.
She was on Private Eyes (CityTv), Baronness Von Sketch (CBC), Brilliant Minds (NBC), Ginny & Georgias (Netflix) and others. She wrote on “Les Zultras” on TFO show and is currently writing her one-women show.
(she/her)Daphney Joseph
Raised in Ottawa, Rose-Ingrid Benjamin is a member of the Haitian diaspora settled in what is commonly known as Canada. She has clearly taken disappointing her Haitian mother as a calling, as she has followed the dopamine to a new career every few years. From singer to preacher to actor to writer and comedian, Rose-Ingrid has left no stone unturned as they subconsciously attempt to make up for their lack of a medical degree by collecting hyphenates. They have performed stand-up across Canada, the US and Europe, notably alongside Crystal Ferrier and Celeste Lampa on the Sweet & Salty Comedy Tour. Her other credits include Laugh Riot Grrrl Fest in Los Angeles and the Portland, Maine Comedy Festival. Her solo show, White As Snow, is opens at the New York Fringe Festival on April 7th. You can keep up with Rose-Ingrid @ ingridtherose on your surveillance platform of choice.
(she/they)