Acclaimed actor and producer Wendell Pierce, in partnership with Caesars Palace Times Square, today announced the creation of the New York Coalition of Legacy Theatres of Color Fund, a groundbreaking $10 million investment dedicated to strengthening and sustaining Black theatre institutions across New York City.
The nonprofit fund, established as a 501(c)(3), will provide transformative support to historic theatres that have long served as cultural anchors for communities of color, including Billie Holiday Theatre (Brooklyn), Black Spectrum Theatre (Queens), New Heritage Theatre Group (Harlem), and Negro Ensemble Company (Manhattan).
Through direct funding, the initiative will expand production capabilities, strengthen audience development, and ensure the long-term viability of these vital institutions.
Beyond financial investment, Caesars and its partners are committed to addressing the broader challenges artists face. The fund includes access to Childcare services for performers and crew members, Rental assistance and debt relief (student and medical), and Monthly workforce job fairs to create economic opportunities within and beyond the arts
This holistic approach positions the fund as not only a cultural investment, but also a community development initiative. The $10 million fund is part of Caesars Entertainment’s $250 million community investment plan, designed to foster equity and opportunity as part of its proposal for a Times Square gaming license.
For Wendell Pierce, the initiative reflects his long-standing commitment to using art as a vehicle for justice and opportunity:
“The social justice movement of the 21st Century is economic development and creating opportunities that sustain and uplift our communities—both on stage and beyond,” said Pierce.
For decades, Black-led theatres have shaped American culture, often on budgets under $1 million a year. With this historic investment, these institutions will gain critical resources to secure their future, amplify underrepresented voices, and inspire generations to come.