Tata Sharise has been seen on Netflix’s “Funny AF with Kevin Hart,” the New York Comedy Festival and is the first Black woman to win Philly’s Funniest. She was also named a New York Comedy Festival Creator and Comic to Watch in 2023 and 2024. Now, she’s coming to Boston. Sharise will perform at Elephant & Castle in downtown Boston on Aug. 22 from 8 to 9:30 p.m. She spoke exclusively with the Banner about her journey to become the comedian loved by audiences today.

Sharise said she has been on stage since the age of five and has always been into the arts, starting off with singing, dancing, acting and theater. However, she said she did not get into stand-up until her mid- to late 20s due to painful situations, which included the death of her father and a tough breakup with her partner at the time.

“When I was going through that sadness, I just went to an open mic and I never turned around,” she said. That was nine years ago.

Asked how she would describe her comedy style, Sharise said it has changed throughout the years.

“I started off really raw and just saying the things that I feel people are afraid to say, but lately it’s been more testimonial with laughter,” she said.

She said that while she still gives the rawness in her comedy, she talks about her childhood, things that she has gone through and where she is today.

“A part of storytelling is giving people a visual while you’re up there, because when it comes to stand-up comedy, it’s just you, a microphone and a stool. Those are the objects and the tools you have to use. For me, my body is an instrument, so it is something that I feel like I have to do in order to give the full picture,” she said.

She also talked about why it is important to have authentic Black storytelling in comedy.

“It’s very important because we are still facing a lot of Black trauma to this day. We need to hear those stories, and people need to understand that there’s different types of Black people,” she said. “The more we put ourselves out there as Black creatives, Black performers, Black athletes, the more people will want to know about us, and the more that tugs on the heart a little bit more. I’m not saying we’re going to change every bad racist heart in the world, but you know, it’s a good place to start.”

Sharise shared what Black joy means to her as a comedian.

“Black joy to me in comedy, it means liberation,” she said. “It’s heartwarming, and it’s just happy. Our people have faced so much over decades, now we can say over centuries. Black joy is necessary.”

ON THE WEB

Learn more at tatasherise.com/pages/shows