National Black Theatre Honors Barbara Ann Teer’s Legacy

Teer’s Enduring Legacy

Today marks what would have been the birthday of Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, visionary founder of the National Black Theatre (NBT). In a recent Instagram post, NBT shared a carousel of images from past productions and rehearsals, captioned, “Theater is experiencing a Black-led renaissance, a manifestation of our trailblazing founder Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s groundbreaking legacy.” The post encourages followers to give $100, $50, or $25 in honor of the Founder’s Month celebration.

Supporting Black Storytelling At Nbt

Since its establishment in 1968, NBT has championed Black voices and stories as sources of healing, joy, and transformation. Theaters across New York City have begun to reflect a broader shift: a surge in Black-led productions, new commissions, and community outreach programs springing directly from Teer’s ethos of cultural self-determination. In the caption, NBT stressed, “Today we celebrate her birthday, and uplift her commitment to Black storytelling as a source of healing, joy, and transformation. This Founder’s Month, please affirm your support by giving $100, $50, or $25 to fortify NBT’s commitment to Black artistry and innovation. No amount is too big or small, and every gift is meaningful!”

David Alan Grier’s Involvement

Veteran actor and comedian David Alan Grier—a longtime advocate for Black theater—has also spotlighted NBT’s fundraising drive. Grier, whose Broadway credits include the 1990 revival of The Wiz and who earned an Emmy for his work on In Living Color, shared the NBT post to his Instagram feed (@davidalangrier). On a prior post, Grier celebrated his Actor Spotlight Award at the Astra Awards for his performance in the series St. Denis Medical. He wrote, “St. Denis Medical star David Alan Grier will be the recipient of this year’s Actor Spotlight Award.” Grier’s visibility brings added momentum to NBT’s call for donations during Founder’s Month.

Beyond philanthropy, Grier has a decades-long stage résumé: he co-wrote the musical Birdie and appeared in August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. His commitment to sustaining Black theater aligns seamlessly with Teer’s founding mission.

As the NBT Instagram carousel scrolls through rehearsal snapshots, stage crew at work and cast members sharing a moment mid-performance, followers are reminded of the living, breathing community that Teer built. Each frame underscores the message that supporting NBT is more than a donation—it’s an investment in the continuation of Black artistry.

From comedians and actors to designers and directors, voices across social media have rallied behind the hashtag #HappyHeavenlyBirthdayDrTeer, amplifying the call to click “Tap to donate now.” Whether you give $25 or $100, NBT stresses, every contribution helps fuel the next generation of Black storytellers.

As the theater lights dim on this special day, Teer’s vision shines brighter than ever—thanks to generous supporters and high-profile champions like David Alan Grier, her legacy remains a transformative force on and off the stage.

Trivia

David Alan Grier was a cast member on the sitcom 'Life With Bonnie' from 2002 to 2004, further expanding his television repertoire.

Reporter

Poulami Nag

 

Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.

Read full bio of Poulami Nag