What started as a bold idea between two visionaries is now a cultural force making major waves on the East Coast!
Founded by creatives Chris Moncrief and Alexis Pratt, Nice Things E&E is more than an events company—it’s a love letter to Black artistry, a celebration of community, and a promise to keep culture at the center of every experience they create.
Rooted in New York City, Nice Things has been steadily expanding its reach, most recently bringing its unmistakable energy to Washington, D.C. The team has curated events that uplift emerging Black artists through moments that are equal parts joy, resistance, and pure creative genius.
Among its standout initiatives is the Black A** Comedy Tour, a hilarious and heartfelt celebration of rising Black comedians. With stages set in spaces that reflect the culture of the neighborhoods they serve, this tour does more than entertain—it empowers. Every laugh shared is another step toward building an ecosystem where Black voices are centered, affirmed, and amplified. The tour has already left audiences in stitches and spirits lifted across the region. Now it’s back on the road this June, with stops in Philly, Baltimore, D.C., Charlotte, Atlanta, and Brooklyn from June 19th–21st and June 26th–28th.
But you don’t have to wait until summer to catch the magic. On May 17th, the tour returns to Busboys Hyattsville—the very venue that helped set the tone for its DC presence—with another show guaranteed to be electric. Tickets for both the tour and the upcoming D.C. show are currently on sale.
Moncrief spoke to Because Of Them We Can about the vision and the mission behind the events company and it’s flagship tour.
“There’s this invisible line that so many emerging artists need to cross to go from talented to truly seen — and we want to be the place that helps them get their first high-quality content, first real audience, and first experience of being treated like the artist they are. We might not be the machine that makes someone famous, but we’re 100% the place where they get started in a way that feels intentional, fresh, and dope.”
Pratt echoes his sentiments, saying the work is as personal as it is powerful.
“We’re necessary because the industry keeps playing keep-away with Black talent — dangling opportunities, putting folks on pause, and slowly watering down their voices. With Black A** Comedy, we’re not waiting for permission. We’re showing what happens when Black people back each other, no gatekeepers needed.”
But the vision doesn’t stop at laughter. Nice Things has also invested in artist residencies across the region., creating opportunities for fresh talent to grow in front of local audiences and within communities that embrace their brilliance. These residencies are part of a larger mission: giving artists not just a stage, but a sustainable path forward.
And 2025 is already looking bright. This summer, the brand will launch its “After Hours” series—a one-of-a-kind cultural fusion of music, art, and multimedia performance. Designed as an intimate and immersive experience, After Hours will highlight the wide spectrum of Black creativity in spaces curated to inspire and uplift. Starting this July, After Hours will run monthly once the comedy tour wraps, continuing its mission to blend music, art, and multimedia in spaces that feel both elevated and grounded in Black creativity.
The team is also heading to Los Angeles this June to lead Fetch Bloom Balance, a wellness expo created for three Black women-led wellness brands. As always, Nice Things is partnering with Black-owned businesses and local talent to ensure every event is deeply rooted in and reflective of the communities it serves.
“Our team is here to offer something different. Not another loud bar. Not another overpriced dinner. We’re creating Black entertainment for people who want to really connect — to laugh, vibe, and be in community. This is us, for us, with intention,” explained Pratt.
From residencies to reimaginings of nightlife, from curated shows to community-centered partnerships, Nice Things is building something that feels less like an event company and more like a movement. It’s a blueprint for how Black artists can be seen, supported, and sustained—not just in the moment, but for the long run.
And through it all, Moncrief and Pratt continue to prove what’s possible when you lead with intention and care in creative spaces. With every show, tour, and gathering, Nice Things isn’t just doing things differently—they’re doing them beautifully.
Because when the culture wins, we all win.
For more information follow the comedy page HERE or visit stayafterhours.com for more updates on Nice Things E&E roster of expanding events!
Cover photo: NYC-Based Events Company Is Creating Spaces to Empower Indy Black Artists Across the East Coast/Photo credit: NiceThings E&E