Bengali-American headlines fundraiser for community-based cause
Bengali-American comic Usama Siddiquee is headline a fundraiser tonight (Sept. 12) in Lansing for the organization Progress Michigan.
By Alan Madlane
Like to have a good laugh, while helping a worthy cause?
Progress Michigan bills itself as a communications team and media hub for the entire progressive community. The organization also says its goal is to “work with communities to build a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable Michigan.”
And they have engaged Bangla-American comic Usama Siddiquee as the headline act of a Stand Up for Progress event being held tonight, Friday, Sept. 12, in Lansing at the Venue, 5660 W. Saginaw Hwy. beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets start at $39.19 and go to $108.55. They are available through Eventbrite.com.
The evening will open with fellow comic Prenav Behari, who was a former MAD Magazine writer with acting roles on Law and Order: SVU, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Daredevil: Born Again.
As for headliner Siddiquee, his press release says, well, if not “it all,” certainly quite a bit about him. I’ll let them do the talking:
“Usama Siddiquee (formerly known as “Usama Bin Laughin”) is a Bengali-American stand-up comedian and actor based in New York. Known for his high-energy, sharp and personal comedy, Usama’s act dives into topics like family, sex, religion, and cultural identity with rapid-fire wit and charisma.
“He has appeared on Netflix’s Inventing Anna, HBO’s And Just Like That, Comedy Central’s Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, and FX’s Better Things. In 2024, he released a 30-minute special with Don’t Tell Comedy.
“Usama was featured on America’s Got Talent (2020), selected as a New Face at Just For Laughs (2018), and is a regular at the world-famous Comedy Cellar. His TV debut was on BET’s 50 Central, with other appearances on Desus & Mero, MTV News, and Cash Cab.
“He’s won numerous comedy festivals, including the Laughing Devil Cup (2016), Yonkers Comedy Festival (2015), and Make Me Laugh Albany (2015), and was a finalist in both the NBC Standup and New York’s Funniest competitions in 2017. He has also been featured in content from NBC, Buzzfeed, Refinery29, Mic, FusionTV, and HuffPost.”
We’re just going to come right out and bludgeon the obvious here: That’s a heck of a resume.
Resumee?
Any-wee, we were able to send him a few questions via email, and he was kind enough to take the time to answer them.
So, without further ado, here’s the nitty-gritty of our little email confab:
The Review: Let’s start with catching up those who might not be familiar with you, or your work. How do we properly pronounce your name? Phonetics would be ideal. Rhymes are also fun.
Usama Siddiquee: Hi! My name is Usama (no relation). Last name is Siddiquee, like Sid-ee-key.
The Review: Briefly, what is the journey that led you into the comedy field to begin with? Are there other Bengali comedians that paved the way before you?
Siddiquee: I was going to do medical school in Texas. The day before I left, I was like ‘why not take a gamble, and pursue stand-up comedy in NYC?’ So I just went with the impulse and, 10 years later, here I am.
So many amazing South Asian comics paved the way before me: Russell Peters, Hasan Minhaj, Paul Varghese in Dallas. Bengalis are new to the scene, but Shafi Hossain is amazing! Zubi Ahmed is also incredible, paving her own way in NYC!
The Review: Are there any particular challenges you’ve felt as a Bengali-American comic?
Siddiquee: Comedy should be one of those universal uniters of us all, but this is a pretty polarized climate.
Usually, if you come with love, everything sorts itself out. Sure, there might be racism, or “insular” clubs, but if you just put your heart into the jokes and treat people with respect on and off stage, everything falls into place.
The Review: Are there any subjects you won’t take a shot at, or is it pretty much all fair game for you?
Siddiquee: Never! It’s all fair game, just make it funny and come with good energy. If you (don’t), it’ll show in the bit.
The Review: How, being focused in New York, did you get hooked up with Progress Michigan?
Siddiquee: People know people who know people. 😉
The Review: Will you do any other shows while you are in the area?
Siddiquee: No, just this one. Come out, people!
The Review: Given our large Bangladeshi community here in Hamtramck, might you have any contacts or connections here?
Siddiquee: My dad probably knows every single Bangladeshi in the area, and will tell me to go to their houses for food after the show, one by one.
The Review: Anything coming up for you that you’d especially like to plug, outside of this show?
Siddiquee: Just follow my Instagram: @UsamaStandsUp
The Review: Please add anything else you’d like to, including any final thoughts about life, love or the pursuit of the almighty laugh…
Siddiquee: Stand-up comedy is the most fun I’ve ever had in my life, and I’m truly blessed that people are coming out for the show. It’s a genuinely beautiful thing.
That being said: Uncles and aunties, don’t be weird in the crowd. Come to laugh! I might joke about some topics you might not agree with; just enjoy it! LOL.
Much thanks Usama, and here’s hoping you set some kind of Progress Michigan fundraising record!
Posted Sept. 12, 2025
