We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony Shackelford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I’m unapologetically known for something very specific. I zero in on a very specific target audience with my marketing strategy. When you try to appeal to everyone, you water down your message. At the ALL BLACK COMEDY SHOW, we know our core audience is black women, which may sound surprising. But we cater and market directly to affluent black Atlantans.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The ALL BLACK COMEDY SHOW is family-owned and operated by husband-wife team Candace and Anthony Shackelford (aka Comedian SHACK DD). We blend our strengths together, combining our business experience and creative minds to produce a top-notch comedy show twice a month in Atlanta.

Our mission is to provide a safe space for black comedians to share their views with no restrictions on subject matter and content. We are standing up for what matters: black people having their own, which will in turn make the world a better place. As Howard University graduates, this mission penetrates our daily lives and wellbeing, and, ultimately, has enabled us to achieve success.

The ALL BLACK COMEDY SHOW evolved out of many comedy shows that Comedian SHACK DD has produced over his twelve-year comedy career. Previous productions included Laugh Now, Die Later and RipSetComedy Mondays to name two.

Originally founded in 2018 as an independent, monthly comedy show, our supporters have powered our growth into a biweekly event and Comedy Hype Partner. Now fully black owned, we showcase only the top talent from all over the country. With a proven track record of disrupting the norm, we come together to push the limits of what black creators are allowed to do and say.

At the same time, it’s not a Black Panther rally. We value diversity and believe that different backgrounds and perspectives are what make us stronger. That’s why as long as your money is green, you are welcome at the ALL BLACK COMEDY SHOW.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
What I love about the city is the variety. We can start at Nobu in Buckhead to get the vibe of Atlanta that most people imagine. Tuesday night we’d head to Kat’s Cafe and enjoy some laughs. You never know what stand-up comedians will show up there on a Tuesday. You could see anyone from Karlous Miller to Chris Tucker. Next day we’d stay in my neighborhood — Inman Park — and walk the Beltline on a non-crowded day. Maybe end at Two Urban Licks or Park Tavern for dinner. Thursday night we’d go to Hal’s for good eating and drinking. Friday night we’d get an early dinner at Houston’s for spinach dip and Hawaiian steak then we’d head to Suite Lounge for Friday Night Comedy. Saturday, we’d try one of the local spots in my neighborhood for brunch — maybe Thumbs Up and of course head to ALL BLACK COMEDY SHOW that night. Sunday brunch at Murphy’s before heading to newly black-owned Buckhead Art Company to see the latest exhibit.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife, Candace Shackelford, graduated with me in 2005 from Howard University. She has been integral to my success over the last five years. With her marketing expertise, she’s helped me expand the show. For example, when I started I wasn’t charging an entry fee. Today we sell tickets for a range of $30-$60. She also handles all aspects of event management — from the signage you see to how you order food (QR codes) to the digital marketing strategy we have in place. She also gets full credit for the ALL BLACK COMEDY SHOW logo.

Website: www.allblackcomedyshow.com

Instagram: instagram.com/allblackcomedyshow

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/75392509/

Twitter: twitter.com/SHACKDD

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShackDD

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@allblackcomedyshow

Image Credits
Photographer: Candace Shackelford All other names and information for captions are in the file name.

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