I perform at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, where my race and gender are rarely pointed out.

I get it - there are very few black female actresses who have been given chances.

I was a server for a while, and I was a very bad one. So when people tipped me well, I felt like it was like, 'Let's get her out of here so she can get a new job.'

I've done a handful of voiceover and on-camera jobs where I've been asked to 'be blacker.' That's code for sassier, more ghetto, more neck rolls and snaps.

There are no subtleties in a war zone. I think that's why comedy does so well there. It goes right for the gut. So those punch lines start penetrating the bullet-proof vests.

It's always comedy first on 'Will and Grace.' There was never any other agenda.

I started in the club route. I did the alternative scene later on. When I lived in New York, I did the Luna Lounge and stuff, where Janeane Garofalo and David Cross and all those guys worked out of, but I came from a comedy club background. I'm proud of that background. I'm one of the people that really crossed over and did both.

It sounds gross to say that I like myself more. But not everyone likes themselves that much. Especially in the comedy world.