What began as a bold spark between two visionary creatives has officially grown into one of the most dynamic cultural engines shaping the East Coast.

Founded by producers and culture-drivers Chris Moncrief and Alexis Pratt, Nice Things E&E is far more than an events company—it’s a living love letter to Black artistry, an evolving archive of community joy, and a blueprint for keeping culture at the center of every experience they craft. Their work reflects a growing national investment in Black creative ecosystems that outlets have identified as essential to American cultural innovation (Source: The New York Times).

Rooted in New York City’s rich creative terrain, Nice Things has steadily widened its impact, recently bringing its unmistakable vibrancy to Washington, D.C. The team curates experiences designed not only to entertain, but to uplift emerging Black artists through moments that blend joy, resistance, cultural memory, and unapologetic imagination—a movement aligned with broader trends in community-driven arts spaces highlighted by reporters nationwide (Source: The Washington Post).

One of the company’s standout efforts is the Black A Comedy Tour**, a vibrant and intentional celebration of rising Black comedians. Set in venues that reflect the neighborhoods they serve, the tour does more than spotlight talent—it builds an ecosystem of affirmation. Every show becomes a space where Black voice, humor, and lived experience are centered and protected. The tour has already left audiences laughing across the region, and this June it returns with stops in Philadelphia, Baltimore, D.C., Charlotte, Atlanta, and Brooklyn from June 19–21 and June 26–28.

And you don’t have to wait for summer to tap into the magic. On May 17, the tour returns to Busboys Hyattsville, the very venue that helped solidify its D.C. presence. The upcoming show promises the same electricity and cultural intention audiences have come to adore. Tickets for both the tour and the D.C. date are currently on sale.

Speaking with Because Of Them We Can, co-founder Moncrief distilled the heart of their mission:

“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.”

Moncrief added that while Nice Things may not be “the machine that makes someone famous,” it is often the first space that gives artists the dignity, structure, and belief they deserve.

Pratt echoed this sentiment, noting that the work is not just creative—it’s personal and necessary.

“We’re necessary because the industry keeps playing keep-away with Black talent… 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 laughter is only one pillar of their growing empire. Nice Things has also launched artist residencies across the region, offering emerging talent the chance to grow not only onstage but within communities that embrace them. These residencies reflect a larger national push to build sustainable artistic pipelines, a trend widely recognized by arts institutions and cultural reporters (Source: NPR).

Looking ahead, 2025 is already brimming with possibility. This summer, the brand will debut its After Hours series—an intimate, multisensory fusion of music, art, and multimedia performance. Designed as a monthly gathering beginning this July, After Hours will celebrate the breadth of Black creativity in curated spaces intended to elevate, nurture, and inspire.

And the expansion doesn’t stop on the East Coast. This June, the team will travel to Los Angeles to lead Fetch Bloom Balance, a wellness expo created for three Black women-led wellness brands. Consistent with its ethos, Nice Things continues to collaborate with Black-owned businesses and local talent to keep every event deeply rooted in the communities they uplift.

Pratt summarized the heart of their work:

“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.”

From curated residencies to reimagined nightlife, from intentional touring to community-driven collaborations, Nice Things is building something that feels less like a company and more like a movement. It’s an emerging blueprint for how Black artists can be seen, supported, and sustained—not just in the moment, but for the long run. And in doing so, Moncrief and Pratt continue to show what’s possible when creativity, care, and cultural stewardship lead the way.

Because when the culture wins, everyone wins.