Amber Ruffin Speaks About Being 'The First Black Female Anything'

Second City's Amber Ruffin. The irresistibly titled new revue, 'Between Barack and a Hard Place,' is winning the improv institution its best reviews in years and out-of-control ticket sales. (Photo by Heather Stone/Chicago Tribune/MCT via Getty Images)

When Amber Ruffin was first hired to write for Late Night with Seth Meyers, Jezebel reported that she was the first black woman to write for a network late night show ever. That was news to Ruffin: as she told WNYC's Arun Venugopal this week, it never occurred to her that she'd be "the first black female anything."

Your Support Has Never Been More Critical

Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.

Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you.

Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.

Support HuffPost

Your Support Has Never Been More Critical

From Our Partner

More In Black Voices

The Short-Lived Glory Of The '90s Black Horror Movie

'People Have Offered To Buy My Vote': How It Feels To Be A Swing-State Voter

Tuskegee Airman Statue Found After Theft From Detroit City Park

Durand Bernarr Doesn't Really Care About Winning Grammys

Rapper A$AP Rocky To Go To Trial Next Year On Gun Charges

BET+ Was A Streaming Underdog. Diarra Kilpatrick Changed That.

Issa Rae Is Teaming Up With A Free Streaming Platform

Bomanizer Rose To TikTok Stardom With Kardashian Spoofs And He's Not Stopping There

This Broadway Star Has Found Unique Ways To Challenge Audiences

Exhibiting Forgiveness Is A Fantastic Family Drama

A Movie About The Things We Don't Talk About In The Black Community

Zelig William's Family Looking For Missing Broadway Dancer In South Carolina

Opinion: Were In A Real Life Horror Movie And One Wrong Move Could Be The End Of Our Rights

What Conspiracy Theorists Are Getting Wrong About The Diddy Case

Kamala Harris Unveils Economic Agenda With 1 Key Group In Mind And For Good Reason

Pharrell Williams Lego Movie Feels Superficial And Performative

Barack Obama Suggests Some Black Voters Are Hesitant To Vote For Harris For This 1 Reason

Ex-NFL Media Journalist Settles Discrimination Lawsuit

Diddy's Mom Calls Sex Abuse Allegations Against Son A 'Public Lynching'

Gen Z Is Particularly Weird About Relationship Age Gaps. Here's Why.

Descendants Of Tulsa Massacre Victims Are Skeptical Of Justice Department Review

This Nonprofit Is Changing The Lives Of Americas HBCU Students

John Boyega To Play Otis Redding In Upcoming Biopic

Actor John Amos, Dad On 'Good Times' Sitcom, Dies At 84

Nevada GOP Candidate Says He's Not Worried About Black People In His Bid For Congress

Podcast Host Shows Right Way To Ask Kamala Harris About Racial Identity

Weve Gotten Abortion History All Wrong

GOP Candidate Says Violent, Neo-Fascist Proud Boys Just 'A Group To Scare Left-Wing People'

Opinion: The Death Of Marcellus Williams Proves Justice In America Is A Myth

Taraji P. Henson On Why She Made Sure Project 2025 Would Go Viral

Halle Berry Was Afraid To Star In This New Horror Film

Mark Robinson's Porn Scandal Is A Doozy But It's Far From His First Publicly Vile Behavior

Oops! Mark Robinson Decries Lies' About Porn Site Posts, Then Says They 'Possibly Happened'

There's A Very Real Benefit To Seeing A Dermatologist With Your Skin Tone

Marlon Wayans Scolds Elon Musk For Turning His Back On His Trans Daughter

Opinion: Why Lil Wayne Was The Perfect Pick For The Super Bowl Halftime Show

This Reality Series Has The Messiest Love Triangle Ever Seen On TV

New Show 'How To Die Alone' Is Exactly What We Need Right Now

Fashion Week Got Political And In The Best Way

Debate Suggests Men May Be Too Emotional To Be President

Kamala Harris Aims To Reach Black Men With Voter Engagement Events

'She Introduced Millennials To Typing. Then She Was Never Seen Again.'

James Earl Jones, Legendary Voice Of Stage And Screen, Dies At 93

These Young Tennis Titans Just Got A Shot Of Confidence From One Of The Best To Ever Do It

This Low-Budget 80s Film Has New Relevance In The Kamala Harris Era

Jesse Watters Slammed For Remarks On How Kamala Harris And Fani Willis Speak

Republicans Have A New Racist Attack On Kamala Harris