Hailing from North Carolina, Anthony D. Oakes is a District of Columbia resident who is taking the comedy scene by storm. A natural comedian, featured in Washington Blade, Anthony has hit the ground running. His clean, yet edgy, Southern, intellectual, witty humor will have you reeling with laughter.

Instagram: @anthony_oakes_comedian

Apple Brown Betty connects to audiences with the familiarity of your favorite aunt. Hailing from Richmond VA, her polished, southern style allows her to tackle taboo topics in a way that is accessible to all. Selected as a Rising Star of Comedy by Bob Sumner, legendary producer of Def Comedy Jam, ABB is blazing a trail up across the country. An evening with her is guaranteed to leave you laughing, and feeling a bit better about the world we live in.

Instagram: @apple.brown.betty

Matt Brown is a rising comedian from Baltimore, Maryland, who has a way of warming the crowd with his quick wit and warm, pretty boy demeanor. Matt adds raw, colorful hues to dark scenarios and relatable situations, turning upset into something laughable every time. He has a way of warming the crowd with twists and turns, leaving them on their toes for a delivery of hilarious anecdotes and analogies. Matt has worked alongside some great comics such as Louis CK, Dave Attell, Tom Segura, Big Jay Oakerson, Godfrey, and many more. Matt won Comedy Kumite 19.1 (spring 2019) at the DC Improv and was a finalist in the 2024 Comedy Kumite XL.

Instagram: @mattbcomedy

From Richmond, Va., Patrice DeVeaux has been traveling doing standup all over the country, opening for Orlando Jones, Chaunté Wayans, Tony Woods, and the legendary Adele Givens. Patrice is a writer, producer, and creative curator. She has appeared on several television shows, including "News One Now With Roland Martin," "Kill Tony," and "Revolt TV." She has also been featured on Kenan Thompson’s Ultimate Comedy Experience. Patrice has performed at the legendary Apollo Theater in NYC & internationally in the Netherlands. Patrice won Comedy Kumite 42 (winter 2024) at the DC Improv.

Instagram: @butisshefunny

President Lincoln’s Cottage (official website) is an historic site and museum located in the Petworth neighborhood in Northwest Washington, D.C. President Lincoln’s Cottage first opened to the public in February 2008. It is the only place the public can experience the history of Abraham Lincoln’s public and private life where he lived and worked for over a quarter of his presidency.

While in residence at the Cottage, Lincoln visited with wounded soldiers, spent time with self-emancipated men, women and children, and developed the Emancipation Proclamation. The human cost of the Civil War surrounded him, undoubtedly impacted his thinking, and strengthened his resolve to challenge the status quo. Through innovative guided tours, exhibits and programs, we use Lincoln’s example to inspire visitors to take their own path to greatness, and preserve this place as an authentic, tangible connection to the past and a beacon of hope for all who take up Lincoln’s unfinished work.