*(Pittsburgh, PA)
–
Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST)
–
Pittsburgh’s top venue for innovative performing arts, fostering community discussions and collaborative efforts grounded in the empowerment of Black and LGBTQ+ individuals.
– is thrilled to announce
Embracing Our Destiny: A Conference on BIPOC Institutional Ownership
.
The pioneering four-day gathering signifies the inaugural occasion in the organization’s timeline and will assemble trailblazing figures from the realms of art, advocacy, city development, charitable work, and governance across the nation for impactful dialogues and to honor the revolutionary impact of culturally significant areas led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Scheduled as a national symposium, this event is slated to occur over four days.
May 15-18, 2025,
At KST (5941 Penn Avenue, East Liberty in Pittsburgh, PA).
Tickets can be purchased on a sliding scale system, with prices varying between $150 – $300 for a Symposium Pass and $15 – $40 for individual tickets.
and can be bought at
kelly-strayhorn.org
.
As art organizations nationwide grapple with the new directives implemented by the present administration—from the federal government’s intervention at the Kennedy Center to the suspension of funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs—KST developed
Owning Our Future
… as a way to initiate an essential and current nationwide conversation focusing on BIPOC institutional ownership, posing the daring and urgent query: ”
Who has the right to control the places where our future culture is formed?
This investigation delves into issues of cultural portrayal, fairness, and accessibility, with particular emphasis on the physical and organizational control of art venues managed by minority groups.
With the symposium,
The KST, led by Black and queer individuals, envisions innovative financial, operational, and spatial frameworks to support BIPOC-owned art venues in the 21st century as they navigate issues of survival and sustenance. This gathering will highlight instances of effective leadership, unveil cutting-edge tactics for thriving, and offer practical guidance for community organizers and policy makers aiming to foster fair ownership practices.
Moreover, the ongoing ownership disparity fueled by systemic inequalities—such as redlining, prejudiced loan practices, and inadequate charitable backing for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) organizations—will be tackled during the gathering. By engaging in multidisciplinary discussions, attendees will delve into strategies to surmount these challenges and forge routes towards enduring, collectively owned cultural venues.
For KST, the symposium holds particular significance since their theater lease comes to an end in 2029 with no chance for renewal or acquisition—an issue echoing the unstable stance faced by numerous cultural organizations across the United States and globally, especially those established by and catering to minority groups.
“As discussions about ownership, equity, and cultural representation shift from being peripheral to becoming central topics, the crucial issue of owning cultural spaces continues to be mostly ignored. Recognizing this gap, we saw an increased necessity for a forum to explore the concept of ownership that goes well beyond physical structures, surpasses our organization itself, and transcends the boundaries of Pittsburgh,” stated KST’s Co-Executable Director.
Joseph Hall
.
“The symposium will explore the broader perspective and showcase new models for cultural spaces, such as those utilized by national organizations involved in real estate development, media, democratically managed investment funds, and others. This highlights the continuous struggle to protect cultural havens that foster artistic creation, community cohesion, and shared history within our politically polarized environment,” said Director Hall.
The symposium will incorporate a variety of panel discussions, keynote presentations, and performances. Notable highlights consist of:
-
Four Keynote Speakers:
Lisa Yancey
(York City-based) national cultural strategist and faculty member at Yale University;
Shyla Spicer
(OR), President and Chief Executive Officer, Native Arts & Cultures Foundation;
Andy Shallal
(DC), previously a contender for mayor of Washington, D.C., and the creator of the eight-branched restaurant franchise known as Busboys and Poets; and
F. Javier Torres-Campos
, renowned philanthropic leader.
-
Three Panel Discussions:
Panel topics include
Innovative Operating Methods: Creating Cooperative and Flexible Organizational Frameworks
Innovative Finance: New Approaches Within BIPOC Cultural Environments
; and
Imagining Tomorrow: Creating Community-Focused Areas for Cultural Enrichment
.
-
Two Performances:
A vibrant lineup of shows featuring both local Pittsburgh talents and renowned national artists backed by KST throughout the last 25 years, encompassing performers such as MacArthur Genius and Pittsburgh native choreographers.
Kyle Abraham
.
Envisioned as an appeal for action,
Owning Our Future…
Aims to mold the future of cultural ownership in America during a critical juncture in our country’s conversation. This symposium underscores KST’s position as a frontrunner in reshaping how cultural expression intersects with institutional authority. Through amplifying various perspectives and offering a forum for communal discussion along with an arena for interdisciplinary cooperation, KST is driving significant transformation, ensuring that Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) groups possess the means, assets, and backing needed to oversee their own cultural domains. Post-event, a detailed document will circulate nationally to magnify the effect and sustain the progress of this essential initiative.
To learn more and sign up for
Embracing Our Destiny: A Conference on BIPOC Institutional Ownership
, please click
HERE
.
SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 15, 2025
11:00 am – 1:30 pm Keynote Address by Lisa Yancey
Lisa Yancey
Lisa, who serves as the president of Yancey Consulting, co-founded The We’s Match and originated THE DASH. Leveraging her deep understanding of organizational and cultural strategies along with justice-driven systemic transformation, she will explore how cultural strategy can foster a vibrant Pittsburgh ecosystem. Her presentation will underscore the significance of multi-generational and interdisciplinary approaches to cultural strategy, differentiate between art and culture, and offer tangible instances wherein strategic cultural initiatives have spurred prosperity in both urban environments and enterprises.
7:30 PM – 10:00 PM Film Screening:
East of Liberty
Once upon a time, East Liberty was the third most thriving commercial hub in Pennsylvania. However, ill-conceived urban development plans in the 1960s led to significant damage to the downtown shopping zone and resulted in towering apartment buildings being constructed, which left many residents feeling cut off from each other high above ground level. Fast forward sixty years, though, and those flawed street layouts have been fixed. Stores now abound, and homes in this neighborhood are among the most desirable properties within the entire city.
The documentary “East of Liberty,” directed by Pittsburgh-based filmmaker Chris Ivey, delves into themes of race and socioeconomic status while tackling resident concerns over gentrification. This film aims to document these changes historically through candid dialogues on often-ignored subjects such as relocation challenges, local crime rates, and economic disparities—topics typically overlooked during urban renewal projects. Over fifteen years since its premiere at KST, this impactful work returns, prompting viewers to contemplate contemporary notions of communal identity and heritage preservation.
The movie runs for about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Following the screening, there will be a discussion with the filmmaker.
Chris Ivey
and previously served as the Executive Director of the Kingsley Association,
Malik Bankston
.
Friday, May 16, 2025
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Cocktail Time
6:00 pm – 6:45 pm Keynote Address by Shyla Spicer
In July 2020, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF) along with Yale Union (YU) joyfully declared the handover of the property and the historical Yale Union structure located in Southeast Portland, Oregon, from YU to NACF.
Shyla Spicer
The president and CEO of NACF discusses the organization’s transformation during this significant increase in resources. They delve into the importance of restoring spaces for Indigenous artists. The discussion covers the part played by innovative land management in achieving Indigenous autonomy and highlights how acquiring venues for cultural representation bolsters Native communities across future generations.
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM Art Show: In The Spotlight
KST’s Local and Global Performance Program initiates, creates, and showcases full-length pieces of dance and theatre from creators who merge personal exploration with structural analysis. Highlighting performers deeply connected to Kelly Strayhorn Theater and its primary initiative, this two-day exhibition displays selected portions of dance and theatrical productions that reflect artistic growth in Pittsburgh with consideration for their potential impact on the broader global scene. The lineup for Friday includes:
West African Dance Troupe Balafon
with
Oronde Sherif
(Pittsburgh, PA),
Alisha Wormsley
(Pittsburgh, PA), and
Jasmine Hearn
(Houston, TX),
Adil Mansoor
(Pittsburgh, PA), and
slowdanger
(Pittsburgh, PA).
9:00 PM – 11:00 PM KST Lounge Featuring Live Music
Saturday, May 17, 2025
9:00am – 10:00am Breakfast
10:00 am – 10:45 am Keynote Address by F. Javier Torres-Campos
-
Javier Torres-Campos
He is a prominent philanthropist committed to fostering free, autonomous futures. Through his organization, Liberation Partners, he brings together networks of leaders focused on nurturing care, building communities, stimulating creativity, and empowering individuals to aid nonprofits and social enterprises in realizing equitable societies. Over two decades, his professional journey has encompassed cultural strategy, place development, and community investments across the U.S. In his keynotes, he discusses insights gained from practical experiences regarding factors leading to forced relocation, underscores successful conservation tactics, and examines the significance of ownership frameworks for safeguarding culture.
11:30 am – 1:30 pm Panel Discussion:
Transformative Operational Practices
The panel discusses operational strategies that foster a strong sense of proprietorship over culture, community, concepts, and organizations. They emphasize novel work and programming approaches at BIPOC-driven cultural entities where cooperation takes precedence, enabling artists and community participants to mold their stories and roles. By incorporating equitable management, collective leadership, and meaningful public involvement, these establishments are reforming their processes to become more attuned and flexible.
Moderated by artist
Veronica Corpuz
From the #notwhite collective (based in Pittsburgh, PA), participants encompassing
Jasiri X
from 1Hood Media based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Lara M. Evans
from First Peoples Fund at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Kyle, South Dakota, and
Shaddai Livingston
from Ashé Cultural Arts Center (New Orleans, LA)
1:45 pm – 2:45 pm Guided Neighborhood Tour with Terri Baltimore
Participants have the opportunity to connect with Pittsburgh’s renowned storyteller,
Terri Baltimore
For an engaging guided bus tour of East Liberty, consider joining Baltimore. As someone with extensive experience storytelling, historical knowledge, local roots in East Liberty, and a commitment to advocating for the community, Baltimore vividly brings forth the area’s deep cultural heritage and complex evolution.
Thanks to her engaging narrative style, attendees will develop a richer comprehension of the challenges, fortitude, and victories that have molded this developing Pittsburgh district. This excursion brings into sharp focus the individuals, locations, and occurrences instrumental in crafting East Liberty’s distinctive character. Beyond merely investigating a locality, it serves as a platform for contemplating topics such as cultural dynamics, authority structures, and how storytelling acts as a vessel for safeguarding communal history.
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Panel Discussion:
Radical Financial Innovation
This session highlights innovative financial approaches such as community-driven fundraising and profit-sharing programs, alongside impact investment and collective ownership models, all of which are being adopted by minority-led arts groups today. The speakers recount their achievements and outline tactics aimed at broadening opportunities for non-profit financing.
Moderated by
Khamil Bailey
From the Greenwood Plan (Pittsburgh, PA), this panel includes
Cierra Peters
and
Tomashi Jackson
from the Boston Ujima Project (Boston, MA)
Ken Ikeda
from CAST (Community Arts Stabilization Trust) (San Francisco, CA),
Darren Isom
from The Bridgespan Group (based in San Francisco, CA)
Derrick Tillman
From Bridging the Gap Development (located in Pittsburgh, PA).
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM Art Show: In The Spotlight
KST’s Local and Global Performance Program commissions, produces, and showcases full-length pieces of dance and theatre from creators who merge personal exploration with structural analysis. This event highlights performers deeply connected to Kelly Strayhorn Theatre and its primary initiative. The presentation over two evenings will feature selected parts of dance and theatre works reflecting creative growth within Pittsburgh as well as their potential impact on the broader global scene. On Saturday, the lineup encompasses:
Jesse Factor
(Pittsburgh, PA),
Bell Dance Sidra New York
(New York, NY),
PearlArts Movement & Sound
(Pittsburgh, PA),
A.I.M by Kyle Abraham
(New York, NY) and additional locations.
9:00 PM – 11:00 PM KST Lounge Featuring Live Music
Sunday, May 18, 2025
9:00am – 11:00am Breakfast
10:00 am – 12:00 pm Panel Discussion:
Envisioning the Future
How can we cultivate a feeling of community not just inside but also extending outside the building’s boundaries? What strategies can BIPOC organizations use to claim authority over their spaces from both cultural and physical perspectives?
The conversation centers around forward-thinking methods for crafting and employing physical environments that foster cultural ownership and empowerment. Participants will delve into how cutting-edge design techniques, participatory community involvement, and eco-friendly construction tactics are molding the next generation of arts venues led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
Moderated by
Kilolo Luckett
from ALMA | LEWIS (Pittsburgh, PA)
Jonathan McCrory
from the National Black Theatre (located in New York City, NY)
Allan Co
from Crescere Collaborative (New York City, NY)
Cristal Chanelle Truscott
from The Inner-City Muslim Action Network (Chicago, IL).
1:00pm – 1:45pm Keynote Speaker: Andy Shallal
Artist, social entrepreneur, and founder/CEO of Busboys and Poets,
Andy Shallal
explores the impact of ownership within cultural environments. Leveraging his background in founding Busboys and Poets—a pioneering dining collective in the DMV area where art, culture, and politics converge through thoughtfully curated cuisine, beverages, literature, and gatherings—Andy aims to demonstrate how purposeful venues can foster activism, equality, and toughness. He emphasizes a vision for a future wherein organizations led by people of color in the arts sector flourish.
All Weekend
Adrian Jones’ Looking Glass App
Imagine a camera capable of revealing the hidden past within a community. This concept led to the creation of Looking Glass, an innovative app-based archive dedicated to documenting African American experiences in Pittsburgh. The project includes an augmented reality component developed by local artist Adrian Jones. With this app, explore locations marked on the interactive map, highlighting significant individuals, occurrences, and establishments. Each spot offers access to historical items such as photographs and video clips, alongside location-specific AR installations. By fostering deeper ties to history through these features, Looking Glass aids in envisioning and striving for a fairer tomorrow.
Lifting Liberty
by Njaimeh Njie
Lifting Liberty
It is a blend of collages, photographs, and textual elements reflecting upon the enduring impact of African American cultural venues in East Liberty. Spanning institutions like the Howe School of Dance and the Selma Burke Art Center to spots such as the Shadow Lounge, numerous vibrant locations and individuals have illuminated the area over a period exceeding one hundred years. This exhibition draws from historical records and current resources to underscore East Liberty’s role as a focal point for artistic expression, even amidst experiences of cultural dislocation. It examines both the preceding era and looks ahead towards what lies beyond.
Lifting Liberty
envisions an East Liberty where the arts will be firmly established for the coming century.
ABOUT KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER
Inspired by iconic figures of entertainment from the 1900s
Gene Kelly
and
Billy Strayhorn
, hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST)
serves as a space for creative exploration, communal discussion, and collaborative efforts grounded in the freedom of Black and LGBTQ+ individuals. We invite everyone who amplifies the voices of Black, Indigenous, people of color, and those from the queer community into our home.
KST stands as an established arts hub in Pittsburgh’s East End, having benefited the community for over twenty years. After initiating KST Presents programming in 2008, KST became led by African Americans, promoting innovative thinking within Black and LGBTQ+ communities through nurturing BIPOC and/or queer artists, business leaders, and arts managers, advancing their professional journeys, and reshaping perceptions about what is possible for Black individuals.
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The Kelly Strayhorn Theater Hosts ‘Embracing Our Future: A Symposium – A Nationwide Discussion on Cultural Ownership’ and Spaces Led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
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