Harlem Stage Presents Surface Level Live

Our mission matters... to ignite the artistic freedom of performing artists of the Global Majority (85% of the global population) who dare to create new artistic works, new ideas, and a new world in which ALL people can flourish.

Due to persistent and longstanding inequitable systems and structures, artists and institutions of the Global Majority remain the underinvested communities of the 21st century and yet...

Harlem Stage is forged in a crucible of a creative fire whose flames and embers may waver, still — undeterred by overwhelming odds — we will continue to be a conduit for freedom, a lens to focus the issues of our time, and a light to illuminate any darkness.

Dr. Indira Etwaroo | CEO & Artistic Director | Harlem Stage

JORDAN “The Relativist” Jordan skillfully combines stability and adaptability in our conversations, motivating listeners to confidently reassess their decisions and update their ideologies accordingly. Emphasizing curiosity and open-mindedness, he underscores the importance of understanding diverse perspectives.

His goal is to foster an appreciation for differing viewpoints. Jordan is a distinguished marketing professional, having contributed his expertise to well-known advertising agencies, Nickelodeon, and currently, TikTok.

DAMON Damon fearlessly challenges conventional thinking, providing listeners with a fresh perspective on familiar topics. His outlook inspires breaking free from traditional molds, celebrating diversity and individuality. Damon’s goal is for listeners to leave with a renewed sense of curiosity and a willingness to question the status quo. His enduring career in fashion and retail spans global and regional roles at renowned brands, including Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and H&M. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology and a Creative Producer.

TONY “The Open Book” Tony’s commitment to truth-telling cultivates an environment of transparency and trust. It serves as an invitation to inspire empathy and forge genuine connections with listeners.

Tony’s goal is for listeners to leave our conversations feeling seen, heard, and less alone. Tony has a distinguished marketing career, making his mark on leading brands, including CNN, Food Network, and his current role at Amazon Music.

PATRIK IAN POLK Patrik-Ian Polk is a director, producer, and screenwriter who is a pioneer in Black queer storytelling. He is the creative force behind Noah’s Arc, Punks, and The Skinny.

For decades, he’s used his art to explore love, identity, and community, shaping conversations that resonate deeply with Black Queer experiences.

Land Acknowledgement The Harlem Stage Gatehouse sits on land that was stewarded by the Lenape Tribes and was violently overtaken, leading to the death and displacement of countless original inhabitants and stewards of this land. The colonial initiative of the United States of America not only invaded the land stewarded by Indigenous tribes, it also enslaved and exploited millions of Africans stolen from their land to build a free labor force under barbaric conditions that included the separation of families, brutal beatings, rape, and lynching. Harlem Stage seeks to partner with all communities, artists, and institutions of the Global Majority in the struggle for true equity and freedom.

Harlem Stage encourages all people to see this acknowledgment as a call to action to join our efforts and our mission to ignite the artistic freedom of performing artists of the Global Majority who are poised to build new artistic works, new ideas, and a new world in which ALL people can flourish.

Our Commitment to the Planet Harlem Stage’s values are rooted in ensuring a sustainable planet. Because we see climate change as one of the most pressing issues of our time – an issue that disproportionately impacts Black and Brown communities across the globe - we will continue to honor environmental initiatives both in our operations and programming. Our efforts in using less paper, transitioning to LEDs in our tech and operational spaces, and leaning into digital communications, we have reduced our carbon footprint by 2.5 tons this 2024 – 2025 season alone. Finally, we are proud to work with artists, such as Bebe Miller, who will explore the dynamic and thriving ecology of forests, as necessary to a sustainable planet, as part of our Spring 2025 E-Moves Festival.

HARLEM STAGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ronald K. Alexander Angela Glover Blackwell Jenna Bond Jamila Ponton Bragg Jamie Cannon – Vice President JoAnn K. Chase Hugh Dancy and Claire Danes Dr. Indira Etwaroo Courtney F. Lee Mitchell – President Channing Martin Larry McRae Rebecca Robertson LaChanze Sapp-Gooding Mark Thomas – Treasurer Tamara Tunie Heather Wagoner Blair Washington Michael Young – Secretary

HARLEM STAGE LEADERSHIP Dr. Indira Etwaroo, CEO & Artistic Director Deirdre May, Chief Content Communications Officer Margaret Hunt, Development Lead Jelani Buckner, Innovation Business Management Director

HARLEM STAGE TEAM Acey Anderson, Facilities and Maintenance Associate Lamont Askins, Operations Manager Katie Burk, Graphic Design Devin Cameron, Light and Projections Designer Bethany Cintron, Community, Education, and Social Initiatives Manager Franny Ruth Daleo-Clark, Content Communications & Development Intern Denzel Fields, Programming and Administrative Associate Julianna Friedman, Associate Director of Individual and Foundational Giving Deniz Kofteci, Social Media & Website Shanté Skyers, Director of Development Karlvy Smith, Strategic Planning Senior Manager Timmy Torinus, Production Intern Saúl Ulerio, Technical Director

HARLEM STAGE USHERS Julian Norales Steven Sterling Linda De La Rosa Trinity Bell Joshua Screen Andy Garcia

HARLEM STAGE TECHNICAL CREW Clarence Taylor, Shop Steward David Barrett Orlando Alvarado Julio Collado

VENDORS Das, IT Lutz & Carr/Chris Bellando, Accountants Aon/Albert G. Ruben Company (NY)/Claudia Kaufman, Insurance Dwight Johnson Design, Gala G&A Partners, Human Resources Madison Consulting Group, Matt Lawrence Manchester Benefits, Greg Martin Squire Media & Management, Public Relations Marc Millman, Photography Hollis King, Photography Ncheng, LLP Walker International Communications Group

HARLEM STAGE FAMILY OF SUPPORTERS Endowment

Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund Rockefeller Brothers Fund

Public

National Endowment for the Arts—Chair, Maria Rosario Jackson,PhD New York State Council on the Arts—Chair, Katherine Nicholls The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs— Mayor Eric Adams and Commissioner Laurie Cumbo The New York City Council—Councilmember Shaun Abreu and Councilmember Yusef Salaam Manhattan Borough President– Mark Levine Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone

Foundations

Altman Foundation Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc. Bloomberg Philanthropies Columbia Community Service Joseph and Joan Cullman Foundation for the Arts The Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund The Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation Francena T. Harrison Foundation Trust Ford Foundation Harkness Foundation for Dance The Hearst Foundations Howard Gilman Foundation The Jerome Foundation Jewish Communal Fund The Diana King Memorial Fund Presented by the Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation Lambent Foundation/Tides Foundation Lucille Lortel Foundation MacMillan Family Foundation

(Foundations continued)

Mellon Foundation Mertz Gilmore Foundation Metzger-Price Fund Miranda Family Fund The Pierre and Tana Matisse Charitable Foundation Pilot House Rockefeller Brothers Fund Ruth Foundation for the Arts The Scherman Foundation, Inc. SHS Foundation The Shubert Foundation The Thompson Family Foundation The Leonard and Robert Weintraub Family Foundation

Corporations

BET Networks Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids JoAnn Chase Company Consolidated Edison Company The Interpublic Group of Companies Manhattan Beer Distributors SESAC West Harlem Development Corporation

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT Randy Adams Lisa Arrindell Bernard Aronson L. Kelly Atkinson Jr. Roland Augustine Neal Baer Catherine Baker-Pitts Stephany and Simon Bergson Robert D. Bielecki Foundation Angela Glover Blackwell* Patricia Blanchet Richard Buery Mary Schmidt Campbell Gayle Capozzalo Geoffrey Canada William and Patrice Cannon Jamie Cannon* JoAnn Chase* Barry Cohen Paul and Caroline Cronson Hugh Dancy* and Claire Danes* Indira Etwaroo, PhD* Joni Evans and Susan Bird Laura Flanders and Elizabeth Streb Alex Gansa Stuart and Karen Gelwarg

Laura Greer Sharon Hall Ruth and Stephen Hendel Leon Henderson Kinshasha Holman Conwill William Holtzman Winnie Holzman Debra James John Josephson and Carolina Zapf Simon Kahn Jenette Kahn Michael Kantrow Michael Kenny James King Steven Kirkpatrick Daniel Klaus Brad Learmonth and Jon Gilman Courtney F. Lee-Mitchell* Kenny Leon Paul Levitz and Jeanette Cusimano Jim Lewis Loida Lewis Jeanine Liburd Karen Lipkind Carey Lovelace Richard Massey Gay McDougall Sherman and Chris Meloni

John Metzner Kelly Myers Lynn Nottage Estelle Parsons Richard D. Parsons Marguerite Pitts Will Pitts Stan Ponte Maxine and John Potts Adam Richman Dee Dee Ricks Golda Rosheuvel Terri Prettyman Bowles Rebecca Robertson* Gretchen and Jamie Rubin Judy Rubin Ted Snowdon and Duffy Violante Beth and Jason Spector Mark Thomas* Teri & Lloyd Trotter Tamara Tunie Reginald Van Lee Blair Washington* Carrie Mae Weems Fran and Barry Weissler Greg Williamson Carol Wood Moore Michael Young*

*Board Members The above list reflects gifts received between July 1, 2024 and January 23, 2025. Donations under $1,000 are greatly appreciated but not acknowledged publicly. If your name has been omitted or misprinted, please accept our apologies and contact Associate Director of Individual and Foundational Giving, Julianna Friedman at jfriedman@harlemstage.org

MAJOR GIFTS Altman Foundation Bloomberg Philanthropies Ford Foundation The Hearst Foundations Howard Gilman Foundation Jewish Communal Fund The Diana King Memorial Fund Presented by the Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation Lambent Foundation/Tides Foundation Mellon Foundation Pilot House The Thompson Family Foundation The Leonard and Robert Weintraub Family Foundation

The above list reflects gifts of $100,000 and above. Donations under $99,999 are greatly appreciated but not classified as a Major Gift at Harlem Stage. If your name has been omitted or misprinted, please accept our apologies and contact, Associate Director of Individual and Foundational Giving, Julianna Friedman at jfriedman@harlemstage.org

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