Kept on Wikipedia:Curtis King

CURTIS KING is an American director, producer and the founder and president of the nationally acclaimed The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL). Founded on King's dining room table with a $250 personal investment, the institution is one of America's most beloved and renowned multi- disciplined art institutions whose mission is to foster, promote, cultivate, perpetuate, and preserve the arts and letters of the African, Caribbean and African American experience in the Fine, Literary, Performing, Visual and Cinematic arts. Since the institution's founding date (July 17, 1977), under King's leadership, TBAAL has generated over $150 million in revenue to support its venue capital campaigns and improvements, programming and operations. The not-for-profit institution is located in the downtown Dallas, Texas Kay Bailey Hutchison/Dallas Convention Center Theater Complex. Occupying more than 250,000sq.ft. of performance, exhibition, rehearsal and administrative office space, TBAAL attracts more than a quarter-of-a-million patrons and visitors annually.

NATIONALITY ALMA MATER

OCCUPATION YEARS ACTIVE RELATIVES EARLY LIFE African American Jackson State University (BA) Texas Christian University (MA) University of Texas at Dallas (Ph.D. Candidate) Theatre Director and Producer 1969-present Jonah King, Father; Elizabeth McGhee King, Mother; 3 siblings (Both parents deceased; Siblings: 2 deceased; 1 living) Curtis Lamar King is the son of an Industrial Farmer and World War II veteran, the late Jonah King, and retired elementary school teacher, Elizabeth McGhee King. King is the second son of three siblings (Elmer Kay, Vernon Bradford and Ronnie Carl). A graduate of the Tate County High School in Coldwater, Mississippi, King attended elementary and middle schools in Senatobia, Mississippi. Upon receiving his high school diploma, with honors, he enrolled in Jackson (Mississippi) State University (JSU) in the fall of 1969 and later graduated Cum Laude in May of 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communications. He was granted a Fellowship to attend Texas Christian University (TCU) in which he received a Master of Arts degree in Theatre from TCU in the fall of 1974. In 1977, King enrolled in the University of Texas at Dallas Doctoral program, Division of Humanities, with emphasis in Aesthetic Studies and Comparative Literature. While working on his doctorate, he had every intention of pursuing a professional career as a Theatre Director and Producer. He instead, chose to resurrect the defunct New York based Black Academy of Arts and Letters (BAAL) primarily because he had inherited the original minutes and files from BAAL that had been salvaged and retrieved from a New York dumpster. When King launched out on a personal and professional crusade to recreate the institution whose history dates back to the later part of the 1800s by Dr. W.E.B. DuBois and the Rev. Dr. Alexander Crummell, now over four decades later, The Black Academy of Arts and Letters is hailed as one of the most esteemed African American arts and cultural intuitions in the United States.

PERSONAL LIFE

While Curtis King does not have any biological children, he has eight biological nieces/nephews, six grandnieces/nephews, thirty-five extended family nieces and nephews, three Goddaughters, two Godsons and hundreds of professional mentees. King, a Christian, was raised a Baptist in a small rural church in Mississippi. When he was in graduate school, he attended the historic Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas and several years later, he became a member of the First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park under the dynamic leadership and tutelage of the late Rev. Dr. J. Lee Foster, whom he called his spiritual advisor. Having lived in many parts of the United States, he is most proud to have resided, at extended periods of time, in the homes of the late Clarence Muse (Perris, CA), the Dean of Black Actors, Esther Rolle (LA) and Beah Richards (LA). He has traveled around the world working in the arts and entertainment field in places like London, England; Paris, France; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Istanbul, Turkey; Frankfort, Germany; and Rome, Italy. PROFESSIONAL WORK Often called the “King of Tributes,” King has created, directed, and produced scores of musical tributes, plays, concerts and other cultural events aimed at uplifting the African American community and enlightening non-African Americans. He also worked with the films “Thieves LikeUs” and “The Lathe of Heaven." STAGE – Directed Shows “Blues Bar” written by King starring Phyllis Hyman, Roger E. Mosley and Billy Preston; “Bethune” a one woman show starring Esther Rolle (National Touring Production in six American cities); “Don’t Start Me to Talkin’ or I’ll Tell Everything I know: Saying from the Life and Writings of Junebug Jabbo Jones” starring John O’Neal (New York City, Maryland, Tennessee, Georgia, D.C. and Paris, France); “Purlie Victorious”; “The Amen Corner” starring Helen Martin, Juanita Moore, Esther Rolle; “A Black Woman Speaks” starring Cheryl Tyre; “God’s Trombone!”; “A Time To Build”; “A Raisin in the Sun”; “Home”; “The Sty of the Blind Pig”; “Suddenly Last Summer”; “Contributions”; “Tell Pharaoh”; "Mojo"; “Blues on 125th Street”; “Fly Blackbird”; Eruipides' “Medea”; Sophocles' “Opedius Rex”; “Ceremonies in Dark Old Men”; “Medal of Honor Rag”; ”The Other Side of The Pillow” starring Freda Payne, Christian Keyes and Frenchie Davis; “Black Don’t Crack, But My Soul Does Ache” written by and starring Kim Fields; ”Mahalia Jackson: The Musical” one woman show; “Toussaint: Brave Warrior of Haiti” starring Antonio Fargas and Four-time Emmy award winning "Black Music and the Civil Rights Movement," “ Addis By Night” (directed and collaborated with Ethiopian writers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as a part of a six-week Cultural Exchange Program sponsored by America’s State Department) STAGE - Produced Shows “Symphony in Black” featuring Phylicia Rashad, Jon Hendrick Singers, Avery Brooks. (A cultural collaboration with the Dallas (Texas) Symphony Orchestra. “I Remember...The March on Washington 30 Years Performing and Visual Arts Salute, 1963-1993” concert held at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts featuring a stunning array of celebrities including ABC News anchor Carole Simpson, CBS News anchor Dan

Rather, Patti Austin, Billy Preston, Della Reese, Olivia Cole, Dick Gregory, Yolanda King, Mamie Till Mosley (mother of Emmett Till), Eartha Kitt, Halle Berry, Esther Rolle and others. “I Remember. . . Images of the Civil Rights Movement" featuring some of the works of Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Samella Lewis, Elizabeth Catlett, Benny Andrews, Artist Lane and more, (Corcoran Gallery, Washington, DC) “Symphony with the Divas . . . A Salute to African American Women in Congress” featuring the likes of Florence Quivar, Harolyn Blackwell, Dionne Warwick, Oleta Adams, Erykah Badu, Barbara Conrad, Tramaine Hawkins, Ruby Dee, Tonea Stewart, Vickie Winans, Myrna Summers, Mary Wilson, Barbara Conrad, Cicely Tyson, Tonea Stewart, Beverly Todd, Clark Sisters, Beverly Crawford, etc. (Warner Theater and The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC and Charolette (Symphony Orchestra), N.C.) “Black Women’s Legacy: Their Last Will and Testament” starring Esther Rolle, Maria Gibbs and Phyllis Stickney (Lincoln Theatre Washington, DC); “Hallelujah... The Drum, The Beat, The Rhythm – A Salute to Twenty-Six African and Caribbean Ambassadors from Ethiopia, Republic of Zambia, Gabonese Republic, Guyana, Senegal, Cameroon, Kingdom of Swaziland, Benin, Botswana, Mozambique, Bahamas, Uganda, Gambia, Sierra Leone, St. Kitts & Nevis, Niger, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Trinidad & Tobago, Republic of Togo, Malawi, Republic of Burundi, Namibia, Rwanda, Dominica and South Africa” starring Erykah Badu, Tonea Stewart and Antonio Fargas. (Dallas, TX) ”Raisin’ Cane” starring Jasmine Guy “Live Nudity” one woman show written by and starring Erykah Badu ”My One Good Nerve” written by and starring Ruby Dee ”Obiturary” written by and starring Akin Babatunde ”Monkey On My Back” one woman show written by and starring Debbi Morgan Unity Ball for the 43rd (Four Seasons Hotel) and 44th (Willard Hotel) United States President’s Inaugurations (Washington, DC) Dallas Arts Gala (Creator), City of Dallas arts fundraising program featuring national celebrities Kirk Franklin, Charlie Pride, Tevin Campbell, Irma P. Hall, Regina Taylor and more The Black Academy of Arts and Letters 30th Anniversary Season Opening Gala featuring forty celebrities such as Della Reese, Juanita Moore, Kim Fields, Erykah Badu, Elizabeth Catlett, Linda Hopkins, Lou Myers, Robert Hooks, Albertina Walker, Louis Gossett, Jr., Oleta Adams,Regina Belle, Myrna Summers, R Jay, Kirk Franklin, and Peabo Bryson An Evening of Spoken Word and Music with Ruby Dee, Live at the Apollo Theater (Harlem, NY) Six Brothers on Sax featuring Gerald Albright and Tom Braxton Forty Fingers On Piano Riverfront Jazz Festival (Founder/Creator) a national festival held Labor Day Weekend featuring more than 40 national/international musical artists, (Dallas, TX) Signature Gala and Project Cherish program, Entertainment producer, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority National Convention (Three Conventions - St. Louis, MO. Chicago, Ill., Philadelphia, PA) 3

Ties & Tux Annual Benefit Gala

honoring Malcolm Jamall Warner,Loretta Divine, Cassi Davis, Rockmond Dunbar, Diane Carroll, Blair Underwood, Anthony Anderson. Hosted by Darrin Henson & Malinda Williams STAGE - Produced Tributes . . . Gala unveiling of the African Civil War Public Memorial Statue starring Dionne Warwick, Robert Hooks and Tramaine Hawkins (Lincoln Theatre, DC) Dick Gregory Salute hosted by Bill Cosby and featuring Isaac Hayes, Cicely Tyson, Sinbad, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Sarah Dash and Stevie Wonder (The Kennedy Center, DC) "This is My Story: A Tribute to the Queen of Gospel Music – Albertina Walker" featuring Daryl Coley, Dr. Dorothy I. Height, Rev. Walter Fauntroy, (Evangel Church, DC) “A Black Woman Speaks – A Salute to an American Actress, Beah Richards hosted by Dorian Harewood, (Dallas, TX) “With Ossie and Ruby” - A Salute to American Iconic Royalty (Dallas, TX) Comer Cottrell - Saluting An Iconic Entrepreneur (Founder of Proline Corporation), Special guests Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson (Dallas, TX) Della Reese: A Salute to An Entertainment Trailblazer featuring Anna Maria Horsford, Beverly Todd, Jennifer Lewis (Los Angeles, CA) Dorothy I. Height: A Salute to A Civil Rights Heroine (Dallas, TX) Vanessa Bell Armstrong; A Gospel Salute featuring Richard Smallwood, Lil Moore, Smokey Norful Tramaine Hawkins: A Gospel Salute featuring Kirk Carr, Andre and Saundra Crouch, Vickie Winans Saluting Three Gospel Icons – Rance Allen, Walter Hawkins, Darryl Coley TELEVISION - Produced Creator and Producer of “Black Music and the Civil Rights Movement” Concert: A Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Nominated for 5 consecutive years for EMMY AWARD (Regional); Win 4 Emmys 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020). This is a collaborative partnership with the CBS 11/TXA21 Dallas/Fort Worth television affiliate. RECORDINGS- Produced Live recording “My Way: A Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” with Eartha Kitt and Rodena Preston on the Caravan of Dreams Label (Fort Worth, TX) Live Recording "Medicine" featuring Ann Nesby, Reuben Studdard and Jasmine Guy (TBAAL, Dallas, TX) WRITINGS King has written and adapted more than thirty plays, poetry, theatre reviews and critical scholarly essays. Plays . . .

“Blues Bar” (starring Phyllis Hyman, Billy Preston, Roger E. Mosley); "The Sharecroppers": YOUTH EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCES: “Prince: The Musical”; “Michael: The Musical”; “Hip Hop Broadway: The Musical” (Premiere inaugural opening of downtown Dallas' AT&T Center for the Performing Arts starring Jennifer Holliday, Melba Moore, Erykah Badu); “Whitney: The Musical”; “Aretha: The Musical”; “Motown, Motown, The Musical”; “Stevie Meets Ray: The Musical”; “Tina: The Musical"; "80s & 90s: The Musical"; ”Mahalia Jackson: The Musical” (a one woman show) Andrea Wallace.

Poetry . . . Published: Black Scholar and Black American Literature Forum magazines; Published: Young Poets Anthology by Jay Eliott and Associates, San Francisco, California Papers . . . “Advocacy: Can it Work Politically for a Black Arts Cultural Institution’s Survival?” (presented at the National Open Dialogue II Conference – 1985, San Antonio, TX);“The State of Black Arts in Dallas: A Financial Picture (presented on a panel in Leadership Dallas – 1984 and published in the Dallas Morning News); “Genius on Genius: A Critical Review of Margaret Walker’s critically acclaimed book, "The Demonic Genius of Richard Wright” (published in part by the Dallas Examiner and The Dallas Morning News); “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope: A literary Analysis and Theatre Review of the Broadway Musical” (published by the Fort Worth Star Telegram). CAREER – COLLABORATION WITH NOTED ARTISTS Throughout King's career, he has and continues to attract renowned celebrity artists to participate and perform in TBAAL programs and special events that promote and preserve the African American cultural heritage and experience. Over the years, King has collaborated with scores of artists and scholars such as Erykah Badu, Regina Taylor, Debbie Allen, Romare Bearden, Avery Brooks, Louis Gossett, Jr., Howard Rollins, Maya Angelou, Melba Moore, Margaret Walker, Nancy Wilson, Phylicia Rashad, Gwendolyn Brooks, Sonia Sanchez, Mari Evans, Carmen de Lavallade, Jester Hairston, Eva Jessye, Margaret Burrough, Roy Campanella, Jr., Eartha Kitt, Rodena Preston, Rev. James Cleveland, Olivia Cole, Kevin Hooks, Robert Hooks, Ernest Harden, Jr., Robin Givens, Hal Williams, Roger E. Mosley, Elizabeth Catlett, Samella Lewis, Bill Cosby, Bill Cobbs, Meshack Taylor Dick Gregory, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Cicely Tyson, Tonea Stewart, Stevie Wonder, KoKo Taylor, Stanley Turrentine, Donald McKayle, Geoffrey Holder, Melba Moore, Antonio Fargas, Linda Hopkins, Della Reese, Mavis Staples, Lola Falana, Patti Austin, Cissy Houston, John O. Killens, Peabo Bryson, Bobbi Humphrey, O. C. Smith, Fantasia, Lalah Hathaway, Yolanda King, Ledisi, Ruben Studdard, Kim Coles, Kim Fields, Jasmine Guy, Freda Payne, Elouise Laws, Jeff Lorber, Rahsaan Patterson, Martha Wash, Lucky Peterson, Maysa, Melanie Fiona, Alex Bugnon, Jon Secada, Kim Waters, Phil Perry, Julio Iglesias, Jr. Ernie Watts, Miki Howard, Rachelle Ferrell, TuTu Jones, Kenny Lattimore, Liv Warfield, Mindi Abair, Tito Puente, Jr., Sir Charles, Diane Schuur, T.K. Soul., Pieces of A Dream, Hiroshima, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Rippingtons, Nestor Torres, The Yellowjackets, Avery Sunshine, Rodney Kendrick, Leela James, Loose Ends, Benny Golson, Eddie Henderson, Raheem Devaughn, Roy Ayers, Bilal, Jon Hendricks, Hubert Laws, Chrisette Michelle, Jennifer Holliday, Mary Wilson, Rhonda Ross, Anthony Anderson, Diahann Carroll, Blair Underwood, Alex Haley, TC Carson, Phyllis Hyman, Billy Preston, Vickie Winans, Barbara McNair, Micki Grant, Janis Mayes, Pearl Primus, Gloria Van Scott, Obba Babatunde, Akin Babatunde, Loften Mitchell, Jonathan Butler, Walter Hawkins, Jackee Harry, Anna Maria Horsford, Will Downing, Warrington Huddlin, Wynton Marsalis, Chinua Achebe, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Tyler Perry, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bobby Rush, Jekalyn Carr, Oleta Adams, Dionne Warwick, Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood, Beverly Crawford, Richard Smallwood, Tramaine Hawkins, Andre and Saundra Crouch, Vanessa Bell Armstrong,

Najee, Gerald Albright, Nnenna Freelon, CeCe Winans, The Clark Sisters (Karen Clark- Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Twinkie Clark, Jackie Clark), Darryl Coley, Rance Allen, James Earl Jones, Florence Quivar, Tevin Campbell, Irma P. Hall, Kelly Price, Angie Stone, Darrin Henson, Christian Keyes, Kirk Franklin, Marla Gibbs, Robert Townsend, Harolyn Blackwell, Faye Robinson, Alfre Woodard, Ted Shine, Ann Nesby, Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Beverly Todd, Malik Yoba, William Marshall, Cab Calloway, Lena Horne, Louis Johnson, George Faison, Max Roach, Juanita Moore, Johnny Taylor, Vivica Fox, Ella Joyce, Corey Holcomb, Chante Moore, Guy Torry, August Wilson, Alice Randall, Debbi Morgan, Tony Terry, Louis Johnson, Talley Beatty, Charles S. Dutton, Al Freeman, Brock Peters, Melvin Van Peebles, Pam Grier, Esther Rolle, Beah Richards, Clarence Muse, Lisa Gaye Hamilton, Jane Kennedy, Moses Gunn, LaWanda PageWhitman Mayo, Shirley Murdock, Clifton Davis, Cassie Davis, Frenchie Davis, Michael Colyar, Dr. C. Eric Lincoln and Kayla Waters.

AWARDS King’s honors and awards span the gamut of major cultural arts and entertainment conglomerates to the trenches of community and social service organizations. Even though King did not pursue an acting career, he was praised at an early age as a young acting thespian who showed promise. Best Actor’s Award in high school and the state of Mississippi; Mississippi (Jackson) Literary Arts Festival Award; Edmund Playwriting Award in Creative Writing (Atlanta, GA.); 100th Centennial Pin from his college alma mater for outstanding services; Student Government Association Outstanding Service Award, Sojourner Truth National Cultural Arts Festival Award of Excellence (Fort Worth); Celebration of Performing Arts Award (Committee of 100-Dallas); Black Achievers Award (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.); Texas Governor (William P. Clements, Jr.) Proclamation of Excellence Arts Award; Texas Governor (Ann Richards) Arts Leadership Award; Man of the Year Dreammaker’s Award (Southeast Business and Professional Women); Black Portfolio Arts Award of Excellence (Rainbow Inc.); High Profile Award (Dallas Morning News); Award of Merit in Arts Administration (Texas State Legislative Black Caucus); Leadership Award for Excellence (The Dallas Historical Society); Ambassador of Goodwill Award of Excellence (State of Texas- Governor Mark White); Spirit of Texas Profile (ABC Affiliate-Dallas); Nominated for the 1985 Esquire Magazine Register for Men and Women under 40 who are Changing America; Distinguished Community Service Award (Bethune-Cookman College National Alumni Association); Cover Profile Proclamation (Dallas Observer); Distinguished Service and Arts Award (Dallas Metroplex Temple #1305); African American Community Service Award (KKDA-AM Radio); Award for Outstanding Service (National Alliance of Black School Educators National Convention); Kool Achiever Award for Outstanding Service to Inner-City Communities; (Louisville, KY); Texas “Do-ERs” Award for Arts and Culture; Entrepreneurial Leadership Award (Texas State Legislative Black Caucus); African American Black History Leadership Award (U.S. Department of Labor); Frederick D. Patterson UNCF Award for Outstanding Community Service; (The Links, Inc.); NAACP Juanita Craft Arts Award for Outstanding Service; City of Dallas Employees Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration Award for Community Service; President’s Award for Community Service (Washington-Lincoln Alumni Association); Osceola Arts Awards for Excellence (National Convention – Arts and Letters Commission of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.); Project Cherish Heritage Award for Outstanding Service (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. National Convention); Market Place Arts Award for Excellence (Vicksburg, MS. Museum of African American Culture); Outstanding Performing Arts Award (Hernando, MS Concerned Citizens); Cultural Arts Award for Outstanding Artistic Excellence (Tate County, Mississippi); Ambassador for World Peace Award in the Arts from the Inter-Religious and International Fellowship for World Peace (Washington, D.C.); Larry Leon Hamlin Producer’s Award National Black Theatre Festival (Winston- Salem, NC); Lifetime Achievement Award (Business and Professional Women National Convention); 6

~Lifetime Achievement Award (National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts National Convention); Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity National Arts and Community Services Award; Dallas County Commission for Arts Leadership Award; Congressional Black Caucus Arts Leadership Award (Washington, DC); Special Award for Artistic Excellence at Mega Creative Arts Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as a part of the State Department USIA Cultural Exchange Program; Outstanding Achievement in the Arts Award, National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc.; African and Caribbean Ambassadors Cultural Leadership Award, (Washington, DC); Community Service Award, State of Texas House of Representatives; Four EMMY Awards (Lone Star Region) from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for CBS' Dallas "Black Music and the Civil Rights Movement" concert presented by The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Dallas Arts District, Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

HONORS King received Keys to the cities of Port Arthur and Beaumont, Texas; First Texas artist to officially introduce the Honorable Governor Ann Richards; Staged special performance for First Lady Barbara Bush, Texas State Republican Convention; "Curtis King Day" (Proclamation), City of Shreveport, LA; Leadership Proclamations, City of Dallas from Mayors Tom Leppard, Steve Bartlett, Annette Strauss, A. Starke Taylor, Jack Evans, Michael Rawlings and Ron Kirk; Proclamation, Dallas County Commissioner's Court, Commissioner John W. Price; Appointed Chairman, State of Texas Commission on the Arts by Senator Royce West during the Inaugural Ceremony of Governor for a Day Celebration. POSITIONS AND POSTS Choir Director, Crestmoore King United Methodist Church; Assistant Professor, Creative Writing and Musical Theatre, Shaw University (Raleigh, North Carolina) and El Centro Community College (Dallas, TX); Instructor: Federal Correctional Institution-Bureau of Prison (Fort Worth), Dallas County Jail and Dallas Independent School District; Arts Consultant: National Endowment for the Arts; Texas Commission on the Arts; Mayor’s International Ambassador Ball, Washington, DC; DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities; Jackson State University Mass Communication and Theatre Arts Program; Alabama State University Theatre Department, Paul Quinn College Theatre Program; Mississippi (Jackson) Repertory Theatre Company; National Council of Negro Women (DC); North Mississippi Baptist Educational Convention; National Black Theatre Festival (Winston Salem, NC); Black Liberated Arts Center (Oklahoma City); Ethiopia's Hager Fikir Theatre and the Mega Creative Arts Center (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia); Music Director for the historic Million Man March; Creator and Host, Monthly hour-long radio (KKDA-AM) Talk Show “Curtain Kall”; Founder and President, The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (formerly the Junior Black Academy of Arts and Letters), a nonprofit performing, literary, visual and cinematic multi-disciplined arts institution in Dallas, Texas. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND BOARDS Memberships . . .

National Association of Dramatics Speech Arts (NADSA); Southern Black Cultural Alliance; Speech Communications Association; American Theatre Association; Texas Nonprofit Theatre Association; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; NAACP. Advisory Boards . . . Public Television (KERA) Communication Foundation for North Texas; Center for Nonprofit Management; National Black Theatre Festival – Winston Salem, N.C.; AT&T Performing Arts Center (President’s Advisory Council); Margaret Walker Alexander National Research Center for Black Culture, Jackson, MS; Dallas Symphony Orchestra (Board of Governors). ACCOMPLISHMENTS Since the founding of The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) by Curtis King in 1977 with a $250 personal investment and shuffling papers on his dining room table, King has managed more than 25,000 staff and volunteer personnel. He has been directly responsible for the restoration of four cultural venues (3,000 sq. ft.; 40,000 sq. ft.; 45,000 sq. ft., and 250,00 sq. ft.), raising more than $30 million for facility acquisition and renovation and $120 million to create, produce and present cultural programs for The Black Academy of Arts and Letters. King has led TBAAL to its current 250,000 sq. ft. location which houses 1,750 and 250 seat theatres, a first-class art gallery, box office, rehearsal and meeting space, gift shop and administrative offices. For more than four decades in its current location, King took the leadership role in lobbying the Dallas City Council to approve an additional 30-year contract for the institution to continue programming in its permanent home, the Dallas Convention Center Theatre Complex, downtown Dallas, Texas. TBAAL is the only arts and African American multi-disciplined cultural arts institution in America housed inside a major urban Convention Center. King also negotiated a special deal with the University of North Texas to donate The Black Academy of Arts and Letters forty 'plus' year archival collection to the university for preservation, educational and scholarly research on the African American cultural arts contribution to Dallas, North Texas, United States and the world.

References

www.tbaal.orgCurtis L King (talk) 18:00, 8 March 2021 (UTC)

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