Theatre as a Vehicle for Civic Power

Who We Are Support Black Theatre (SBT) is a nonprofit service organization strengthening the Black theatre sector and utilizing the performing arts as a vehicle for systemic change, power building, and long-term community investment. We create thriving ecosystems that prioritize artist career development, organizational health, social advancement, economic resilience and collective wellness. What We Do SBT provides quality programs, resources, and assistance that cultivate conditions for Black artists, organizations, and residents to thrive. Our annual offerings include capacity-building workshops, leadership training, youth and arts education, civic engagement forums, research and data collection, support for the creation of new work, and the development of arts workers. Our values are rooted in collaboration. Every SBT program and initiative is carried out in partnership with other Black nonprofits, businesses, and local schools. We believe that relationship is our greatest resource, and together we can generate cultural capital and weave networks of mutual aid that place theatre at the heart of community service and collective growth. This core belief has led to our work strengthening 29 coalition member entities, supporting 186 Black-owned businesses and nonprofit partners, and impacting more than 20,000 Angelenos each year. Additionally, Los Angeles Black theatre companies have received over 1.3 million in awarded funds as a result of our direct services.