Maysoon Zayid is a Palestinian-American comedian, actress, and disability rights activist. She has been making audiences laugh for over a decade with her unique brand of humor that tackles social issues related to disability, race, gender, and politics. In recent years, she has teamed up with other comedians who share her perspective to form Maysoon Zayid & Friends, a group of performers dedicated to using comedy as a tool for social change.
Maysoon Zayid rose to prominence in 2013 when she gave a TED Talk entitled "I Got 99 Problems...Palsy is Just One." In the talk, she discussed her experiences growing up with cerebral palsy, the discrimination she faced because of it, and how she became a comedian to challenge stereotypes about people with disabilities. The talk went viral and has since been viewed millions of times, making Maysoon Zayid a leading voice in the conversation around disability rights.
Since then, Maysoon Zayid has continued to use comedy to raise awareness about disability and advocate for greater representation in entertainment and media. In 2019, she co-founded the New York-based Arab-American comedy festival, which showcases stand-up comedians from diverse backgrounds and encourages intercultural dialogue. She also produced and starred in a one-woman show called "Gaza on Heels," which explores her identity as a Palestinian-American woman while providing commentary on current events.
In 2020, Maysoon Zayid launched Maysoon Zayid & Friends, a virtual comedy series featuring performances from comedians who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), women, LGBTQ+, and disabled. Through these shows, Maysoon Zayid aims to provide a platform for marginalized voices in comedy, create a community where these performers can connect and collaborate, and inspire others to pursue careers in entertainment.
Maysoon Zayid & Friends has featured a diverse lineup of comedians, including Hari Kondabolu, Aparna Nancherla, Negin Farsad, and Zahra Noorbakhsh. The performances are unapologetically political, often tackling issues related to racism, white supremacy, ableism, healthcare, and the 2020 presidential election. They are also hilarious and uplifting, providing audiences with much-needed levity during uncertain times.
In conclusion, Maysoon Zayid is an inspiration both on and off stage. Her commitment to using comedy as a tool for social change has led her to create Maysoon Zayid & Friends, a platform that amplifies the voices of marginalized comedians and raises awareness about important social issues. She is a shining example of how humor can be used to challenge stereotypes, raise awareness, and promote empathy across boundaries of race, class, and ability.