For Rodney Ramsey, the stage is not just a place to tell jokes; it is where he found his purpose. “I fell in love immediately. It was exactly what I wanted in life, and I just never stopped,” said Ramsey. More than two decades later, he is still taking to the stage, turning his everyday experiences into laughter. “What it’s like to be a Black man living in society…racial, economic, all that stuff,” he said. Along the way, Ramsey says he noticed that something was missing. While Montreal has a strong comedy scene, especially in the French-speaking community, he says space for Black English-speaking comedians has been limited. So, he co-created the Underground Comedy Railroad. Ramsey says it is the first all-Black comedy tour in Canada. Now in its 14th year, the tour, during Black History Month, features Black comedians travelling nationwide to as many cities as possible. Ramsey explains he wanted to build a platform to provide opportunities for people who may not otherwise get a chance. “Sometimes, they won’t book more than one Black comic because they think it’s too much blackness,” said Ramsey. He also spends his time sharing his knowledge, teaching comedy at The Comedy Nest and online to help a new generation find their voice. “Stand-up can be taught. Everybody has made someone laugh,” said Ramsey. While he admits the hustle can feel constant, there is a reason he keeps pushing. “Doing this tour makes me feel like I’m part of Canadian Black history as well,” he said.
