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
