When black women + speak
Grounded in UBW’s Choreographic Center Initiative (CCI) and CCI Producing Program for Women+ of Color (CCI 2.0), When Black Women+ Speak will convene women+ of color leaders from world-class artistic institutions across New York City to explore the core questions of identity and purposes, such as: What do we stand for and who do we stand with? What are we willing to do about that? How do we build community around culture and collective action? Most importantly, how do we honor those who came before us, and use those lessons to create the future we want and deserve?
IN NYC
May 8, 2024
Fishman Space at
BAM Fisher, Brooklyn, NY
July 31, 2024
David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center
New York, NY
SEE THE PROGRAM BELOW!
October 16, 2024
Louis Armstrong House Museum
Queens, NY
November 13, 2024
Harlem Stage Gatehouse
Harlem, NY
Curated by Lai-Lin Robinson, CCI 2.0 Project Producer.
Produced by Pia Monique Murray, 40th Anniversary Associate Producer/CCI 2.0 Producing Fellow, in collaboration with Jonathan D. Secor, UBW Producer.
WE ARE WILLING TO HAVE UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS.
TRUTH-TELLING IS ALWAYS THE INTENTION BEHIND WHAT WE DO.
BLACK FEMME: UNAFRAID TO CENTER OUR STORIES.
Speaking up requires risk.
Speaking out requires risk.
Speaking truth requires risk.
Urban Bush Women
THIS IS RISK
July 31, 2024
David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
New York, NY
Producers as Presenters: Building Audience Vs. Building Community
featured panelists
Ehrenkranz Chief Artistic Officer,
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Shanta Thake is the Ehrenkranz Chief Artistic Officer at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, where she spearheads all artistic programming activities. Since her start in the fall of 2021, Shanta has been key to Lincoln Center's ongoing efforts to ensure the arts are central to the civic life of the city—welcoming new and returning audiences, championing genres historically underrepresented on campus, and ushering in accessible ticket models to help break down cost barriers.
Shanta Thake
Vice President of Learning & Engagement,
Weeksville Heritage Center
Erica Harper is currently the Vice President of Learning and Engagement at Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn, NY. In her role, she is responsible for the vision, strategy, and implementation of both the education and programming departments. Previously Erica served as Head of PK12 Initiatives at The Phillips Collection, a museum of modern and contemporary art in Washington, DC where she provided vision and strategy for the museum’s school partnerships.
Erica Harper
President and Executive Director,
Baryshnikov Arts
Sonja Kostich brings with her both the knowledge and experience of having been a professional dancer for over two decades as well as significant business acumen derived from her business education and time working at Goldman Sachs. Through a unique and successful professional trajectory, she now merges her artistic and business experience as an arts leader.
Sonja Kostich
Chief Executive Officer,
National Black Theatre (NBT)
Harlem native Sade Lythcott is the Chief Executive Officer of the historic National Black Theatre (NBT), the nation’s first revenue-generating Black Arts complex and one of the longest-run theaters by a woman of color. She is the daughter of the late Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, founder of NBT and legendary champion of African-American arts and culture. As a leader and staunch advocate for women and people of color in the cultural sector, Sade currently serves as the chair of the Coalition of Theaters of Color, is on the board of directors of Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), and more.
Sade Lythcott
when Black women+ speak CURATOR & PRODUCERS
When Black Women+ Speak Curator and Co-Producer
Lai-Lin is a Producer, Curator, Performance Artist, and Arts Advocate who is passionate about nurturing art that challenges the way we exist. Originally from Washington, DC now living in New York City, Lai-Lin is grounded in her core values of empathy, community and anti-racist practices. For over 10 years she has collaborated with artists and organizations to transform their visions into a dream reality.
LAI-LIN ROBINSON
When Black Women+ Speak Co-Producer, UBW 40th Anniversary Associate Producer
Pia Monique Murray is a choreographer, performer, installation artist, teacher, and creative producer. She has worked with nora chipaumire, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Camille A. Brown, Dianne McIntyre, Chanon Judson, Mame Diarra Speis, Monica L. Williams, and the late Blondell Cummings in various capacities.
PIA MONIQUE MURRAY
UBW Producer; and
Executive Creative Producer, 40th Anniversary
Jonathan has worked in and around the arts for over three decades as a facilitator for creative artists and ideas and is delighted to once again be working with Urban Bush Women, having previously worked as Producing Partner. Jonathan was producer for NYC Free, a four-week festival, curated by Mikki Shepard. Prior to this, Jonathan was Director of Public Programs for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Jonathan D. Secor
SPECIAL THANKS
We would like to thank our panelists and the entire community of Black and women+ of color producers who have set the foundation and continue to build and sustain the ecosystem of our industry. We are grateful for the inaugural cohort of CCI 2.0 Fellows: Audrey Elaine Hailes, Pia Monique Murray, Stephanie Rolland, Cheri L. Stokes; Mentors: Lisa Bryd, Sandy Garcia, Laura Greer, Linda Walton; Advisors: Mikki Shepard, Stephanie Hughley, Hanako Yamaguchi, Linda Brumbach; Art-Makers: Maria Bauman, Marguerite Hemmings, Chanon Judson, nia love, Kesha McKey, Mame Diarra Speis; Partners and Guest Speakers.
A special thank you to all of our venue partners: BAM, Lincoln Center, Louis Armstrong House Museum in partnership with Queens College, and Harlem Stage for supporting creatively brilliant Black women and providing space for us to gather, exchange and excel.
Urban Bush Women 40th Anniversary leadership funding provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Additional funding is provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation.
MAJOR FUNDING FOR URBAN BUSH WOMEN IS PROVIDED BY:
