Gilbert Glenn Brown and Alimi Ballard Saluted by Coalition of Theatres of Color

Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center and the Coalition of Theatres of Color (CTC) saluted actors Gilbert Glenn Brown and Alimi Ballard as "Outstanding Alumnus of Mind-Builders" for their remarkable theatre, television and film work in creating positive images for African American youth on April 16 at the Pregones Theatre in the Bronx.

As a teen actors in the early 1990s, the childhood friends toured New York City schools, libraries and theaters with the Bronx-based Mind-Builders Positive Youth Troupe (PYT). Today, Brown, an award-winning stage actor, is director of PYT and Ballard is a TV and film action star.

"I have a lifelong connection to Mind-Builders," explaiNed Brown. "Mind-Builders saved not only myself but several young people through arts, building not just artists and creative people, but great human beings."

Brown's work in theatre has earned him three NAACP Theatre Award nominations and a Drama Critic Award. He's appeared as Martin Luther King Jr. in Negro Ensemble Company's production of "Martin: An American Musical" written by Leslie Lee & Charles Strouse, co-starred opposite Anika Noni Rose in the Broadway bound tour of "The Mountaintop" by Katori Hall and "Topdog/Underdog" directed by George C. Wolfe at Mark Taper Forum. His extensive television and film credits include: "Dreamgirls," "E.R.,"" Shark," "The O.C.,"" CSI Miami," and "Cold Case."

"Mind-Builders was the safest environment that I knew outside of my home," said Ballard, who joined Mind-Builders at age 16. "The life that I have right now is a direct result of spending my formative years in the healing and nurturing embrace of Mind-Builders."

Ballard has made a dramatic mark as an action star. He recently co-starred as Fusco alongside Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson & Vin Diesel in the #1 worldwide blockbuster "Fast Five." He has a recurring arc as Gayne Levin on television's #1 drama "NCIS." Comics fans know him as Falcon in the Marvel animated series and video game "Super Hero Squad." Audiences remember Ballard's portrayal of Special Agent David Sinclair for six seasons on Tony and Ridley Scott's hit CBS crime drama "Numb3rs." His early theatre roles included acting at the National Black Theatre.

"Both men grew up in New York's historic Black theatres, working with Coalition of Theatres of Color members Mind-Builders, National Black Theatre and Negro Ensemble Company," said Woodie King, chairman, Coalition of Theatres of Color and founder and producing director, New Federal Theatre. "They are a reflection of the talented actors of his generation that have come out of New York's historic Black theatres."

"Alimi Ballard and Gilbert Glenn Brown are role models to the youth in the Bronx, especially young people in Mind-Builders," said Madaha Kinsey-Lamb, executive director and founder of Mind-Builders. "They portray characters that are dynamic and show courage and dignity. Both have inspired youth in our program with their theatre, television and film work."
Official proclamations were presented by Bronx Council Member Larry Seabrook and Council Member Oliver Koppell's office. There was a performance of the original musical "H.O.M.E." by Mind-Builder's Positive Youth Troupe (PYT), about teens in foster care. It was developed by PYT members in collaboration with music director John Samuels, choreographer Jocelyn Rivera and Brown. Mind-Builders, founded in 1978, provides instruction for ages 3 to adult in music, dance, theatre, and community folk culture research/presentation.