Mike Yard

It was 1993, in an uptown comedy club in Harlem, N.Y. when Yard signed up for his first comedic performance. The New Jack Segment, a 2-3 minute time slot for new talent to showcase their skills and get the audience laughing. Although his name was on the list, when it came time for Yard to perform he was no where to be found, “I left because I was too nervous. I felt like a punk because I quit before I event started.”

But Yard didn’t let his nervousness get the best of him, “I went back the next week and did really well. I’ve been hooked since then.”

Well it’s been years since his first performance and Yard has performed at some of the hottest venues like Apollo Theatre, and for one of the most influential celebrities, Rev. Jesse Jackson, not once, but twice.

So what can you expect form a Mike Yard performance? “I don’t talk about my friends, but I may talk about my son and how people interact with each other; as well as President Obama and how America is changing. Everyone thinks you’ll be like a Def Jam comedian and talk about black and white stuff [just like they think female comedians will] just male bash.”

Comedy Central, Apollo Theatre, Bad Boys of Comedy, he’s done it all and is still not finished, “ I want to perform at the Radio City Music Hall and for President Obama. I would love to do a show at the White House.”