BTC has announced its 2025 special award recipients. The nonprofit will honor Phylicia Rashad, Luis A. Miranda Jr., the John Gore Organization (parent company of Broadway News) and Girls Be Heard at the organization’s second annual “Building the Change” Gala. The event will be held on March 3 at New York City’s Rainbow Room at 6 p.m.
Additionally, the evening will feature performances by Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose and select performers from the original Broadway company of “Motown the Musical,” including Tony nominees Valisia LeKae and Charl Brown, as well as Bryan Terrell Clark, Ryan Shaw and Morgan James.
Two-time Tony winner Rashad will receive the Lynn Nottage Bold Beacon Award. Rashad took home Tonys for her leading turn in 2004’s “A Raisin in the Sun” and for her featured turn in 2022’s “Skeleton Crew.” Rashad has worn many hats on Broadway alone, having also served as a co-producer on 2023’s “Purlie Victorious”; she is slated to make her Main Stem directorial debut in March with the upcoming bow of “Purpose.”
The Poitier-Belafonte Award for Cultural Activism will be presented to Miranda, who is an activist, longtime advocate for the Latine community and author of the book “Relentless: My Story of the Latino Spirit That Is Transforming America.” Miranda will be represented on Broadway in spring 2025 as one of the producers of the Main Stem transfer of “Buena Vista Social Club.”
BTC will present the inaugural BTC Visionary Ally Award to the John Gore Organization, which serves as the umbrella to Broadway Across America (BAA), Broadway.com, the Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office and Broadway Brands (under which Broadway News belongs). The company is being honored for its commitment to supporting theater access and education programs, such as the regional apprenticeship program, a joint venture between BAA and BTC.
Finally, Girls Be Heard will receive the Chadwick Boseman Change Maker Award. The Brooklyn-based nonprofit is dedicated to “developing, amplifying and celebrating the voices of girls and young women through socially conscious theater-making, storytelling and performance.”
“The Board of BTC is beyond thrilled as we approach our second annual gala and the opportunity to acknowledge the work of Phylicia Rashad, Luis A. Miranda Jr., John Gore Organization and Girls Be Heard,” said the board of BTC in a joint statement. “It is truly humbling for us to have the blessing of Ms. Lynn Nottage, the Poitier, Belafonte and Boseman families to honor individuals and organizations who are being the change in our world with their courage, vision and activism. Our mission remains to remove the illusion of inclusion in the American Theatre and our vision for 2025 is to continue on that path as we reach for exponential growth in the number of fellows and apprentices in the theatrical ecosystem and expand our organization nationwide.”
Founded in 2019, BTC aims to erase barriers to and improve access in the theater for historically marginalized groups. Co-founders include T. Oliver Reid, Warren Adams and Reginald “Reggie” Van Lee, while BTC board members include Aaliytha Stevens and Naila McKenzie.
