Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, Founder & visionary of the National Black Theatre Inc, made her transition peacefully at home Monday, July 21, 2008. Dr. Teer was an icon in the healing art of Black Theatre. Leaving behind a lucrative show business, she came to Harlem in 1968 & founded the National Black Theatre (NBT), beginning a 40-year passion that changed the cultural landscape of the theatrical world. She created a new cultural art form by blending cultural appreciation, performing arts & community advocacy. In 1983, she expanded that vision with the purchase of a 64,000 sq ft building located at 125 Street & Fifth Avenue. There, she created a thriving cultural & business complex housing the largest New Sacred Yoruba Art collection in the western hemisphere. Through a commitment to her vision & purpose, the National Black Theatre is a world-class institution that inspires cultural transformation, social change, human re-development, historic relevance & futuristic innovation.
Throughout her life, she was always on the cutting edge, as the world paced one step behind her trail blazing vision & provocative stage productions. As a former dancer, actress, producer, director, writer, cultural entrepreneur & more recently, officially an African Chieftain, she has won countless awards & received numerous Honorary Doctorate Degrees. However, what mattered most to her was spiritual, self-empowerment. She was known for providing a cultural incubator & training forum for artists in all walks of life. Her commitment through the National Black Theatre was to offer an alternative learning environment where she attracted people from around the world whose work she impacted & showcased.
Dr. Barbara Ann Teer loved Harlem & took a stand for it against the odds. As much as she loved Harlem, she loved her birth home, East St. Louis, Illinois. Dr. Teer leaves in spirit & love two children: Sade & Michael Lythcott & a host of long-term staff, friends & family. There will be a viewing at the National Black Theatre on Sunday, July 26, from 2-5pm. Owens Funeral Home will host her transition in New York, on Monday, July 28. She will be released in perpetuity when returned to her home town for her interment with her family who preceded her. In her own words: "The only thing you can take to the bank is love." Love is the currency, the vibratory frequency that Dr. Teer's spirit leaves for us to continue. She's given the world her legacy as a treasure chest of authentic, unprecedented achievements that will stand forever as a tribute to her vision & tireless work. Now & forever more, her legacy & love will live on to impact generations to come.
