Karen Williams: My Favorite Things

By Keith Boykin, in pop culture
Tuesday, October 25 2005, 11:33AM

This week we continue our new web series profiling community celebrities with a look behind the computer of Karen Williams. If laughter is really the best medicine, then Karen Williams should be called Dr. Williams instead. Karen is an internationally acclaimed and nationally-known comedienne and humorist. With more than 20 years of theatrical training, improvisational comedy experience, dance and movement training, parenting experience, metaphysical studies, and Buddhist practice, Karen is definitely not your average comedian.

I first met Karen years ago when she performed at a dinner event for a gay and lesbian organization I've since forgotten. She was the first black lesbian humorist I'd ever seen on stage, and yet she wowed the mixed-race audience. Since that time, I've seen her perform all across America, and I have always been impressed by her spirit, her candor, and most importantly, her humor. She talks about things that most of us think about but never mention in mixed company, taking on the taboo topics involving age, race, gender, sexuality and everyday life. Her cutting edge humor and her instinctive sense of comic timing make her topical and funny.

Karen is also the founder of the HaHA Institute and the creator and facilitator of the Humor-at-Large Workshop Series. Her humor workshops are specifically designed "to build healthy self-esteem, and to encourage full support of the principles of tolerance and respect for the dignity of human life, using the tool of appropriate humor."

Karen graduated summa cum laude from Cleveland State University with a personally-designed major in "Humor and Healing." She also received a Master of Education degree from CSU's Adult Learning & Development program. She taught Stand-Up Comedy in the Dramatic Arts department of Cleveland State University, and now she serves as President and CEO of HaHA Institute.

I asked Karen her 5 favorite websites, and this is what she told me.

Karen Williams's Five Favorite Websites

1. www.hotmail.com
I check my e-mail 100 times a day. I live on the internet, whether I'm in my home office or on the road. I really appreciate the easy access and the fact that I can go there and get to my Favorite Contacts quickly.

2. www.womensorganizations.org
What a wonderful site to find out what's going on with women's organizations nationwide. It is comprehensive and has information streaming on the site 24/7. A great resource for everyone!

3. www.femmenoir.net
I love this site! They are constantly changing and improving; I'm included in their "Leaders and Legends" section, so I'm proud of that! Angela Odom is on top of what's happening with black lesbians and makes it a point to exercise inclusion...you can find out who's who, where to go, what parties and events are taking place, the political issues of the day, book and film favorites...it's just an exciting and fun site.

4. www.travelocity.com
I spend hours on this site, shopping, surfing, and making reservations. I think they are the best travel site on the web, and I've been able to take advantage of last minute specials and other features on the site...been using them for a decade and I've never been disappointed with their service.

5. www.filmstaff.com
This is a new site for me. Although I don't use it that often, it's great to know it's there for entertainers, actors and folks involved in films. There's also www.mandy.com which is another referral for television and film work. My friend, who's a costumer in Hollywood, lives by these two sites.

(Editor's Note: This is the third installment in our weekly series on celebrities and their favorite websites. The installments will normally run on Mondays, but due to technical difficulties, this one is running on Tuesday instead.)

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