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Friends Like Us


A Podcast featuring women of color with different views on hot topics. 

Mar 2, 2022

Vanessa Fraction, Paula Bel, And Nonye Brow-West visit Friends and talk about living where politics align, the guilt of motherhood, the dating app swindler and more with host Marina Franklin.

Vanessa Fraction Currently, Ms. Fraction is a Co-host with the Nappy Boy Radio Podcast hosted by; Rapper, Producer TPain. She is also an Analyst for The Comedy Hype News Show. Additionally, Vanessa (aka Action Fraction) is a certified Self-Defense instructor and teaches a class, “Kicks & Comedy”, That empowers women with life-saving self-defense skills and lifts spirits by infusing comedy.  

Born in St. Louis and raised in Chicago, this mother of two has over a decade of experience captivating fans around the world with her one of a kind storytelling talent. Whether you see her on stage, television or hear her on the radio, Vanessa is on a mission to empower her audience to overcome their struggles while laughing at hers. These can be hilarious tales of being a single mother paying child support or revealing anecdotes on the battle of being a strong, successful black woman. Her television credits include appearances on Comedy Knock Out and Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks (TruTV), Tales (BET), and a  recurring role on BounceTV’s Mann and Wife. Vanessa’s hilarious and bold stand-up comedy has been showcased on many shows such as HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, 1st Amendment Standup (STARZ) and Mike Epps Live at Club Nokia. As a writer she has worked on The Arsenio Hall Show (CBS), 106 & Park and The Mo’Nique Show (BET). Her film roles include Barber Shop 2: Back in Business and Kim Field’s Holiday Love: The Rebirth. Her quick wit and sharp humor is featured when she guests hosts on entertainment shows like DishNation (FOX) When you "do the math" Vanessa Fraction equals One Very Funny Lady!

Paula Bel’s performances are hysterically dark...A Los Angeles native, her voice and delivery are undeniably strong, not your average female comic.  The unexpected truths along with her delivery are hilarious.  Currently you may have seen her on "Baskets" w/ Zach Galifinakis or you can watch her comedy on Showtime's Nasty Show Vol. II or Jenny McCarthy's "Dirty Sexy Funny" on HULU. Paula's numerous credits include The Tonight Show, The View, Showtime’s Full Frontal Comedy, Nickelodeon's Stand Up in Stilettos, and Comics Unleashed. Headlining numerous comedy festivals such as 'HBO" in Las Vegas, Montreal "Just for Laughs", "Smithwicks" in Dublin and Kilkenny, Ireland.   Television and acting appearances include "VH1", "Real Husbands of Hollywood", music video starring Wiz Khalifa, and commercials for Google. Paula’s writing style and character make her one of the most unique female comics performing today.

Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch, as well as in NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning, and the New York Comedy Festival. In 2019, Nonye made her acting debut in The Sympathy Card. Look out for her two new web series, Fairytales with Nonye and Gayby Jesus.

Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf.