The Bay Area Black Comedy Competition was initially created in 1986 by theatre artist, poet and aspiring comedian Tony Spires, as a means of leveling the playing field for African American and other minority Bay Area stand-up comedians. From it's humble roots, it has evolved into the largest, longest-running live showcase of urban comedians in the world. The Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival (the BABCCF) has also become a major networking convention and a national proving ground for talented up and coming stand-ups of all races and ethnic backgrounds.

Since 2002 the BABCCF has produced one of the country's leading entertainment industry educational festivals, with daytime symposiums, industry panels, workshops and one-on-one professional consultations, all specifically designed to develop the next generation of stand-up comedians. The BABCCF has helped launch the careers of some of the biggest names in urban comedy, music, film and TV.