Zainab Johnson is going to be present at SUB Comedy Night this Thursday in the Maintenance Shop in the Memorial Union. The event starts at 9 p.m. with the doors opening at 8:30 p.m.

Johnson is known as a comedian and actress. Her style has been shaped by her childhood growing up in Harlem as one of 13 siblings. Comedy, however, was not her first choice of career. According to her website, Johnson got a degree in math before stepping into the world of comedy.

“I studied math in school because I was good at it and it seemed practical. After graduating from college, my dad passed away and I thought it best to pursue my dream of being an entertainer (which was definitely deemed impractical) before it was too late; the whole ‘time is short no regrets thing,'” said Johnson in an interview with That’s magazine.

Since then, Johnson has performed for HBO’s “All Def Comedy,” NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” BET’s “ComicView,” MTV’s “Acting Out,”  AXS TV’s “Gotham Comedy Live!,” “Avant-Guardians” and Montreal Just For Laughs Festival.

There are assumptions in the world of comedy, according to Johnson’s interview with the Los Angeles Times. Johnson stated people will assume you will not be able to entertain them, that you won’t be funny.

“I never present myself with the thought or expectations of other people. I’ve thrived on defying expectations. I had a shaved head and I wore my hair in an afro a lot, so people expect the strong black woman thing, but I love to say some ratchet …, just so that you understand that nothing — not my hair, not my look, not one particular joke — defines me. I’m a person in the world, and so the way that I approach stand-up is I tell my story,” said Johnson to the Los Angeles Times.

 For those looking into a career in comedy, Johnson gave some advice in her interview with the Los Angeles Times.

“I would say stay true to yourself. If you’re the black girl that seems white, that’s just what you are. Or if you’re ghetto, or if your content ain’t really there, but you got show — do what you do, and do it to your best ability. You’re going to get a lot of no’s but you are going to get a couple of yeses, and that’s what matters,” said Johnson.

SUB Comedy Night opens its doors at 8:30 this Thursday night in the Maintenance Shop. The show starts at 9 p.m. The event is free.