named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
A New Deal for Broadway
Initiative outlining commitments to build sustainable diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility practices in theatre
BTU Designer Initiative
Program supporting emerging and early-career professionals in theatrical design through access, information, and exposure
BTU Rise Marketing and Press Internship Program
Eight-week paid internship placing emerging talent in NYC marketing and press agencies serving Broadway, including mentorship, housing, and professional development
BTU Townhall
Community forums for dialogue on urgent cultural and industry issues, featuring founders and allies
Broadway Bound Educational Program
15-week initiative bringing Broadway experiences and education to students in underrepresented, low-economic communities
Business of Show
Panel series featuring discussions on topics central to the Black theatrical landscape and broader community
Marva Hicks Musical Theatre Scholarship
Scholarship supporting the next generation of musical theatre artists in memory of performer Marva Hicks
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Arts Professional Advocacy & Equity Initiatives 2 activities
- Advocacy for equity and inclusion in American theatreAdvocates for access, representation, equity, and inclusion in the American theatre through initiatives such as the New Deal for Broadway, which secured commitments from over 100 signatories in 2021, and through ongoing oversight, annual summits, and collaboration with experts like Dr. Nicole Johnson to track progress on diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging.
- Maintenance of The Design Hub resource directoryOperates The Design Hub, a centralized, multi-disciplinary directory providing resources and opportunities in theatrical design fields to support Black and underrepresented professionals.
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Arts Education Scholarships 2 activities
- Marva Hicks Scholarship for emerging Black musical theatre artistsProvides scholarships in honor of Marva Hicks to support emerging Black musical theatre artists in their academic and professional development.
- Support for emerging Black theatre professionals through scholarships and resourcesProvides scholarships, mentorship, and access to resources for emerging Black theatre professionals, including an annual $10,000 scholarship to a Howard University musical theatre student sustained over four years and full scholarships for two Howard students to attend NYU’s New Studio on Broadway Musical Theatre Summer Intensive.
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Paid Internships in Media & Publishing 1 activity
- BTU Rise Internship Program for emerging Black talent in marketing and pressOffers paid, full-time, eight-week internships in New York City with leading Broadway advertising and press agencies, including Serino Coyne, AKA, and Situation, providing hands-on experience in marketing, strategy, and content development. The program includes housing, transit support, mentorship from BTU members, and professional development training in areas such as data analysis, creative direction, and social media.
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Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
- Broadway education program for students in underrepresented communitiesImplements a 15-week, school-year-based curriculum integrating Common Core standards with Broadway theory and theatrics, delivered twice annually in public charter schools serving underrepresented, low-economic communities to increase access to theatre education.
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Professional Conference & Symposium Organization 1 activity
- Community forums and panel discussions on cultural and industry issuesHosts live and virtual community forums, town halls, and panel discussions featuring industry leaders, experts, and allies to address urgent cultural and theatrical industry issues, with content distributed through video and live events to inform and mobilize the Black theatrical community.
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Performing Arts Production Support 1 activity
- Funding education, access, and representation initiatives for Black theatre professionalsUses proceeds from an annual fundraising gala in New York City to award grants and fund programs focused on education, access, and representation for emerging Black theatre professionals.
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Documentary Film Production 1 activity
- Production of documentary content on theatrical designersProduces a mini-documentary series featuring the creative lives, journeys, and work of theatrical designers, with two seasons and eight episodes released as part of its programming.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.35M
Contributions & grants$1.35M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$2040%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.15M
Program expenses73%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising16%
Salaries & benefits$454K
Grants paid out$22K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$1.07M
Cash$1.02M
Investments$0
Liabilities$147K
Net assets$923K
Liquid reserves10.7 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +2.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KETTIA ETIENNE MING | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $180K |
board members · 15
- CAPATHIA JENKINS — BOARD MEMBER
- CARIN FORD — BOARD MEMBER
- DARIUS DE HAAS — BOARD MEMBER
- GINGER MCKNIGHT-CHAVERS — BOARD MEMBER
- JOSEPH P BENINCASA — BOARD MEMBER
- LACHANZE SAPP-GOODING — PRESIDENT
- LISA DAWN — SECRETARY
- MICHAEL MCELROY — VICE PRESIDENT
- MOLLY JOHN — BOARD MEMBER
- NATASHA WILLIAMS — BOARD MEMBER
- NORM LEWIS — TREASURER
- SCHELE WILLIAMS — BOARD MEMBER
- TAMARA TUNIE — COMPLIA OFFICER
- VANESSA WILLIAMS — BOARD MEMBER
- WENDELL PIERCE — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- AKA Partner — Host company for BTU Rise interns in the Broadway marketing and press internship program.
- Alicia Keys Partner — Honored at a past BTU Gala for contributions to arts and culture.
- Broadway’s leading advertising and press agencies Partner — Collaborates with top Broadway marketing and press agencies to deliver the BTU Rise Internship Program.
- Common Partner — Honored at a past BTU Gala for contributions to arts and culture.
- Harriet Tubman Effect Partner — Collaborates with Black Theatre United and a committee of signatories to oversee the implementation and impact of the New Deal for Broadway.
- Howard University Partner — Hosts students who receive the BTU Marva Hicks Musical Theatre Scholarship.
- Kandi Burruss Partner — Honored at a past BTU Gala for contributions to arts and culture.
- LaTanya Richardson Partner — Honored at a past BTU Gala for contributions to theatre and culture.
- New York Times Partner — Joint programming with BTU Rise Marketing and Press Internship Program
- New York University Partner — Hosts the New Studio on Broadway Musical Theatre Summer Intensive, which scholarship recipients attend.
- Polk & Co. Partner — Joint programming with BTU Rise Marketing and Press Internship Program
- Samuel L. Jackson Partner — Honored at a past BTU Gala for contributions to theatre and culture.
- Serino Coyne Partner — Host company for BTU Rise interns in the Broadway marketing and press internship program.
- Situation Partner — Host company for BTU Rise interns in the Broadway marketing and press internship program.
- SpotCo Partner — Hosts a returning BTU Rise alum through a separate alumni-only fellowship track.
- YouTube Partner — Hosts the mini-documentary series "Before the Curtain Rises: The Designers Series" on its platform.
- iHeart Partner — Joint programming with BTU Rise Marketing and Press Internship Program
- joinus@blacktheatreunited.com Partner — Point of contact for program inquiries and involvement opportunities
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Arts Education as Youth Development in Underserved Communitiesmethodology: curriculum-integrated-arts-educationBy integrating Broadway-based theatre training with academic curricula in public charter schools, the organization fosters self-expression, literacy, and leadership in students from underserved communities because arts engagement reinforces cognitive and social development within formal education structures.
- Community Dialogue and Collective Leadershipmethodology: community-dialogueBy creating community forums and facilitated dialogues among Black theatre professionals, the organization drives actionable change because shared spaces for listening and knowledge exchange build collective agency and align advocacy efforts around common goals.
- DEIA-Driven Systemic Change in Theatremethodology: diversity-equity-inclusion-accessibility_frameworkBy advocating for DEIA-aligned commitments and an ongoing accountability framework among industry signatories, the organization produces systemic change in Broadway and American theatre because sustained collective action and annual progress assessments institutionalize equity as a measurable, evolving standard.
- Legacy-Centered Investment in Black Artistic Excellencemethodology: legacy-based educational investmentBy providing sustained educational funding for Black musical theatre artists at an HBCU, the organization strengthens intergenerational continuity in Black theatre because targeted investment in prestigious training institutions preserves cultural legacy while expanding access to high-quality artistic development.
- Mentorship and Immersive Learning for Workforce Developmentmethodology: mentorship-driven workforce developmentBy combining mentorship from established Black theatre leaders with hands-on training in Broadway marketing, press, and design, the organization builds professional pathways for emerging talent because immersive, relationship-driven learning increases skills, confidence, and industry access more effectively than training alone.