Dr. Barbara Ann Teer [center]

Over a decade ago when I was living in Harlem my buddy Jimmie and I went to the National Black Theater to see Joseph Walker's The River Niger.  It was one of the crazy hot summer evenings in Harlem and it didn't help the theater's air-conditioner wasn't working.  It literally felt like 100 degrees.  As I recall I was quite surprised there wasn't more walk-outs or plain mutiny from the overheated black Harlem crowd.  No, these folks were content and obviously dedicated.  Me, however, was ready to take flight.  Heat and I don't get along.  It doesn't matter if I'm in the San Fernando Valley, Caracas, or 125th Street, a brother needs a breeze.  But then there was some friendly commotion by the entrance.  Finally, I thought, someone was going to do something about the crazy heat.  Well, I was wrong.   The commotion was about something besides me and my issues.  A woman had entered the theater.  A regal, Afrocentric, surprisingly centered and seemingly cool woman who garnered much respect from everyone within ten feet without disrupting the performance.  It was Dr. Barbara Ann Teer.  The CEO and founder.  My buddy Jimmie explained she was the cultural queen of Harlem.  [Hey, I was only a year out of Iowa, I didn't know.]  I wasn't close enough to offer my hand in respect, [because I'm known to do that] but it was clear to anyone around me a brother was intrigued.  

Since that time I've heard much about Dr. Barbara Ann Teer.  Her commitment to cultural, social and political advocacy in a gentrifying Harlem. Her unwavering drive to bring black theater to black people no matter what [even if the a.c. goes out unexpectedly on a hot summer night]. Although I've only admired her from afar, I'm sad to see her go, but happy she committed her life to doing all she could to keep Harlem as the centerpiece for black cultural life in America.

The following is an excerpt from the National Black Theatre's press release. 

Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, Founder and CEO visionary of the National Black Theater Inc, made her transition peacefully at home, Monday, July 21, 2008.  Dr. Teer was an icon in the healing art of Black Theatre.  Leaving behind a lucrative show business career in 1967, she came to Harlem in 1968 and founded the National Black Theatre (NBT). This began a 40-year passion that changed the cultural landscape of the theatrical world. She created a new cultural art form by blending cultural appreciation, performing arts and community advocacy.  In 1983, she expanded that vision with the the purchase of a 64, 000 sq ft building located at 125th Street and Fifth Avenue.  There she created a thriving cultural and business complex housing the largest New Sacred Yoruba Art collection in the western hemisphere.  Through a commitment to her vision and purpose, the National Black Theatre is a world-class institution that inspires cultural transformation, social change, human re-development, historic relevance, and futuristic innovation.

For my information visit:  nationalblacktheatre.org