Karen Williams

COMIC, EMCEE, HOST, MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, HUMOR EDUCATOR & DIVERSITY TRAINER

Karen Williams is the Founder and CEO of the International Institute of Humor and Healing Arts, affectionately known as HaHA Institute.

The mission of HaHA Institute is to encourage the fullest and highest activation of human potential for compassion, wisdom, and life force through the daily use of humor and healing arts, which includes stress management, nutrition, exercise, massage and healing touch, and spiritual practices.

Karen Williams has the unique distinction of being the nation's first openly lesbian black comic to include specifically lesbian material in her act. Her solo comedy special "I Need a Snack" filmed live in Hollywood and produced by Andrea Meyerson of All Out Films is a LOGO TV favorite and available on DVD. 

The feature-length, award-winning comedy-documentary "Laughing Matters" showcases Karen's star quality and includes interview clips that highlight her social activism. Other credits include the film "We’re Funny That Way" of HBO fame, and comedy writer and host for the TV show "In the Life" out of New York City.

Karen Williams is a featured comic performer with Olivia Travel, and has been since 1990. She’s been a ghostwriter at Columbia Pictures, and her humor writings appear in numerous anthologies, including Joke Stew (Andrews McMeel Publishing), Revolutionary Laughter (Crossing Press), Out in All Directions (Warner Brothers), and Out, Loud & Laughing (Random House).

Most recently, Karen was Artist-in-Residence at Winona State University in Minnesota, coaching classes as diverse as Political Science, Health Management,Theatre and Dance, and Communications. Karen also earned kudos as a highly-praised diversity trainer for Kent State University's Institute of Excellence staff and alumni at KSU, Ohio.

SPEAKUP! SPEAK OUT! LAUGH OFTEN!

CURRENT OLIVIA TRIPS