Janelle James

Janelle James is an American comedian, actress, and writer. She gained recognition for her role as Ava Coleman in the ABC television series Abbott Elementary, earning her a Screen Actors Guild Award and an NAACP Image Award. She has also been nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. James has written for shows such as Black Monday and has appeared in Crashing, Corporate, and Central Park. In 2017, she released her debut comedy album Black and Mild. Additionally, she was named one of Variety's 10 Comics to Watch in 2020. James started her career in 2009 and is known for her candid and engaging style of comedy, covering topics like politics, motherhood, and dating.More