He’s making a major move to uplift Black theatre!
Tony Award-winning actor Wendell Pierce has secured a $10 million investment for the “Legacy Theatres of Color,” an initiative designed to strengthen historically Black theatre institutions and amplify their cultural impact. The project is led by the New York Coalition of Legacy Theatres of Color Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization partnering with Caesars Palace Times Square, Playbill reports.
The fund will focus on boosting production, marketing, and awareness for theaters such as the Billie Holiday Theatre, the Black Spectrum Theatre, and The Negro Ensemble Company.
“As an artist and advocate, I believe that the social justice movement of the 21st century is economic development and creating opportunities that sustain and uplift our communities—both on stage and beyond,” Pierce said in a statement.
Pierce, the first Black man to play Willie Loman in Death of a Salesman, has long championed the Broadway community. His support adds weight to the project, which also emphasizes workforce inclusion, community partnerships, and artistic vibrancy across Times Square.
The investment coincides with Caesars Palace Times Square’s expansion into New York, including its proposed hotel and gaming complex, developed in partnership with Roc Nation and Live Nation. The broader $250 million community investment includes public safety improvements, a new civil rights museum, and support for health and social services.
With this effort, Pierce is not only preserving cultural history but also creating new opportunities for the next generation of Black theatre artists.
Cover photo: 9 Black Sibling Groups That Redefined Soul Music
Photo Credit: Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press