Brooklyn Unscripted: Ilana Glazer

Actress and comedian Ilana Glazer says she’s always been political. But as she gets older, the way she chooses to express those views as a 39-year-old has evolved.

“When I first started in comedy, I was getting feedback that it was political and honestly, I had no idea,” she told BK Reader. “But this is my new era of community organizing.”

She may be best known for her breakout role as Illana Wexler on the TV show Broad City that made her a Millennial icon as a confident and free-spirited young woman navigating the perils of New York City, but Glazer understands she now has a captive national audience and, yes, a brand.

The Brooklyn resident is now elevating independent voices through her podcast It’s Open With Ilana Glazer and formed Moms & Neighbors, a grassroots group that, in the long-term, is supporting a global standard of basic human rights, but this year is asking every mother in the country to vote in the midterm elections.

Glazer, who is currently on tour, said she is non-partisan in this quest: she is not telling people who to vote for, only that they can vote safely and fairly.

“As an individual, what I am hoping for is every single American getting to vote safely and to have their vote counted fairly without the mishegoss of having to wait in line for 10 hours,” she said, using the Yiddish term for ’foolishness.’ “I don't want people getting hungry or miss work.”

Glazer said she found inspiration from the neighborhood groups in Minnesota that quickly organized to keep their immigrant neighbors safe when federal immigration officials raided their towns; by Reshma Saujani, an American lawyer and activist, best known as the founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First; and Brittany Packnett Cunningham, an activist and the co-founder of Campaign Zero.

“You look at all of them and say, ‘Hey, these leaders, they’re all moms,’” said Glazer, whose daughter is almost 5-years-old.

On Mother’s Day, May 10, Glazer will be officially kicking off Moms & Neighbors at Fort Greene Park from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. The event will include a clothing swap, a children’s concert and will also collect supplies (back packs, water bottles, socks, lunch boxes, diapers, gently-used mom and newborn clothes) for P.S.20, The Clinton Hill School and Kid Zone Distro NYC, a mutual aid organization that distributes essential items to asylum-seeking children and their families.

This interview has been edited for clarity:

Q: What makes a Brooklynite?

What makes a Brooklynite is someone who lives in Brooklyn and thinks their neighborhood is the best one.

Q: Do you have a favorite neighborhood to stroll around in?

With my little one, going to DUMBO, because I love being on the water, and my kiddo loves all the climbing gyms.

Q: Do you have a favorite deli or bodega, and what's your order?

I love a bodega bacon, egg and cheese! That's my favorite order. My second favorite is a turkey club. For both, I ask for a pickle on the side.

Q: What is your favorite nightlife joint in Brooklyn?

I love the Bell House. It's one of my favorite places to do stand-up, but they also have really fun events and music shows.

Q: Ungatekeep a Brooklyn secret for me, whether it be a place, a fact, a person, or a thing. Something that kind of feels hidden to you about Brooklyn, that you have been keeping from everyone.

Randazzo's Clam Bar. Damn.

Q: What's one issue that you think is pressing the residents of Brooklyn, and how do you think it should be solved?

Affordability! Rising housing and rent prices are probably the most killer for Brooklyn residents and, unfairly, probably hardest for those who have lived here longest; but on top of that, the rising costs of electricity bills, gas, and groceries is really hurting our community.