This summer, The Trust spoke with leaders of nonprofits on the front lines helping New Yorkers through the COVID-19 pandemic and sounding the renewed calls for racial justice.
These interactive briefings give our donors a chance to meet community changemakers while providing updates on the various fields we support. To learn more about joining our community of compassionate donors contact us at giving@thenytrust.org or visit our Ways to Give page.
Sade Lythcott, chief executive officer of the National Black Theatre, spoke about her Harlem theater’s efforts since 1968 to present works that illuminate the African-American experience. The pandemic forced the Theater to move programming online; it continues to provide a gathering space for artists and audiences and is now reaching many more people. Ms. Lythcott also addressed her leadership role in “Culture at Three,” a daily conference call in which hundreds of cultural groups of all sizes and disciplines strategize about recovery and rebuilding efforts.
In the briefing, The Trust’s vice president for philanthropic initiatives, Kerry McCarthy, spoke with Ms. Lythcott about how cultural institutions representing communities of color can act as havens and healers in tumultuous times and merit support now more than ever. The Theatre received a grant from our NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund.
“Our mission is based on empowering Black theater-makers to tell their stories authentically.”
In this clip, Ms. Lythcott explains the National Black Theatre’s mission:
“Culture is medicine.”
In this clip, Ms. Lythcott speaks about the healing power of culture:
“We’ve just made deeper investments in training the cultural leaders and producers of tomorrow.”
In this clip, Ms. Lythcott speaks with Kerry McCarthy about the National Black Theatre’s work to promote racial justice:
“The frontline work of our community had to be built in these theaters.”
In this clip, Ms. Lythcott talks about the importance of building Black cultural institutions: