Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Arts & Culture Partner in Harlem
Founded in 1964 by Roger Furman, New Heritage Theatre Group has evolved into the oldest Black nonprofit theater company in New York State. Our mission centers on producing transformative art that elevates voices of color and marginalized communities through theater, dance, music, and film. Under the leadership of Voza Rivers and Jamal Joseph, we expanded our reach to include international cultural exchange and youth empowerment programs. Our work bridges historical narratives with contemporary social justice themes, fostering dialogue and community resilience. We maintain partnerships with institutions like The City College of New York and Harlem Arts Alliance to amplify our impact.Recognized with awards from the United Nations Peace Award to NAACP honors, our leadership combines artistic excellence with civic engagement. We prioritize accessible, high-quality programming while nurturing emerging artists and preserving cultural heritage. Our multidisciplinary approach includes documentary filmmaking, staged readings, and educational initiatives. As we transition to new leadership, we remain committed to Roger Furman's founding vision of art as a catalyst for positive change. Through decades of evolution, our dedication to Harlem's artistic ecosystem and global cultural connections remains unwavering.
Services
Theater Productions
Youth Arts Programs
Film Screenings
Cultural Events
Community Workshops
Documentary Production
Arts Education
International Exchange Programs
Staged Readings
Heritage Preservation
Details
- Year established: 1964
Highlights and features
- We have produced award-winning theater and cultural programs for 60 years.
- Our leadership includes United Nations Peace Award and NAACP honorees.
- We offer youth development through IMPACT Repertory Theatre.
- We maintain international artistic partnerships across five continents.
- Our work combines historical preservation with contemporary social justice themes.
Associations and certifications
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Services
Theater Productions
We create professional theater productions that explore African and Latino diasporic experiences. Our works combine historical narratives with contemporary social justice themes, featuring both veteran and emerging artists. Each production aims to foster cultural dialogue while maintaining artistic excellence.
Youth Arts Programs
IMPACT Repertory Theatre develops young artists through performance training and leadership development. Our programs combine creative arts with civic engagement, empowering youth to become cultural ambassadors and community changemakers through theater and dance.
Documentary Production
We produce documentary films that preserve cultural heritage and highlight social justice issues. Our cinematic works extend our mission to global audiences, documenting living history while creating educational resources for community engagement and international distribution.
Cultural Events
Our events include staged readings, open-mic competitions, and heritage celebrations that engage diverse audiences. These programs strengthen community bonds while providing platforms for emerging artists to showcase innovative works in Harlem and beyond.
International Exchange
We facilitate cross-cultural collaborations with artists in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean. Our international initiatives promote mutual understanding through arts diplomacy, creating opportunities for cultural exchange that transcend geographic and political boundaries.
People
Voza Rivers
Executive Producer & Global Arts Impressario
Award-winning producer with international acclaim for advancing arts and culture. Recipient of United Nations Peace Award and NAACP Roy Wilkins Lifetime Achievement Award. Produced projects across six continents, championing Harlem's artistic legacy globally.
Jamal Joseph
Executive Artistic Director
Multi-award-winning filmmaker and former Black Panther Party leader. Academy Award-nominated for songwriting, with credits spanning HBO, Starz, and PBS. Recognized as one of New York's top African American educators by the Daily News.
Catrina Prioleau
Executive Director
Develops innovative programs in arts and social justice. Created award-winning initiatives for NYC Department of Probation and Carnegie Hall partnerships. Focuses on education reform and community empowerment through cultural development projects.
Temple-Jene Fleming
Operations Manager
Seasoned administrator with experience in government and private sector leadership. Former Chief of Staff to Congressman Charles Rangel. Specializes in operational efficiency while mentoring youth in professional development and leadership skills.
Ali Bangura
Chief Financial Officer
Certified CPA with 24 years of financial consulting experience. Manages accounting operations for nonprofit and corporate entities. Holds New York State CPA license and Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from accredited university.
Questions
What is New Heritage Theatre Group's primary mission?
We produce transformative art that elevates voices of color and marginalized communities through theater, dance, music, and film while fostering cultural dialogue and community empowerment.
How can I support your organization?
Support through tax-deductible donations via our website or QR code. Attend events, participate in programs, or engage with our community initiatives to help sustain our cultural development work.
Do you offer youth programs?
Yes, IMPACT Repertory Theatre provides arts education and leadership training for young people, combining creative development with civic engagement opportunities in Harlem and beyond.
What types of events do you produce?
We create theater productions, film screenings, staged readings, cultural events, and community workshops that explore historical narratives and contemporary social justice themes.
Are your programs accessible internationally?
Yes, our international exchange programs connect artists across six continents, promoting cultural understanding through collaborative projects that bridge geographic and political boundaries.
How does the organization preserve cultural heritage?
Through documentary filmmaking, heritage celebrations, and archival projects that document living history while creating educational resources for future generations.
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