https://www.blackenterprise.com/brooklyn-only-black-owned-comedy-venue/

Brooklyn has just seen the opening of the city’s only Black-owned comedy and live music venue. The person responsible for this is New York’s own, Ray Dejon.

According to News 12 Brooklyn, the venue, named 275 Park, is located in the Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn and was brought to life by Dejon, who in his earlier years, was a co-host on the longest-running hip-hop video show, Video Music Box, which is coincidentally, celebrating its 40th anniversary. With his roots being a host on the show, Dejon branched out into the comedy world, hosting many shows around various venues in the New York City area.

275 Park sits where a supermarket used to be. Now, the venue will serve the community with laughs, music, drinks, and food.

In a discussion with News 12 Brooklyn, Dejon explains that the venue is a for its neighborhood.

“We are the first Black-owned comedy and performance venue in Brooklyn, New York, and one out of two in the entire New York.

“People in our community, especially in our communities, we’re oppressed, and people are not having a good time. People are struggling. Comedy is a relief. Comedy is a medicine.”

Dejon goes on to say that he has been incarcerated 26 times, and the struggles he’s encountered in life whether it was domestic violence, or substance abuse, his sense of humor got him through it all.

The 61-year-old entrepreneur also mentioned some of the bigger names that have performed at many of his shows throughout the years, including Kevin Hart, Tracey Morgan, JB Smoove, and Mike Epps.

“They all visited my comedy platforms in New York,” Dejon stated.

You can catch upcoming and established comedians while having a meal and drinks at 275 Park. In fact, if you are in the New York City area on New Year’s Eve weekend, you can catch the New York Kings of Comedy (Capone, Talent Harris, Rob Stapleton, and Mark Viera) performing at the venue.