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New Funding, Combined with Recent Texas Instruments Foundation Grant, Brings More Than $1.15 Million in Critical Funding as DBDT Advances Leadership Transition and Modernization Efforts
(Black PR Wire) DALLAS – Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) today announced it has received a $550,000 grant from Communities Foundation of Texas to support general operations and the leadership transition as they seek to hire the company’s next Executive Director.
This investment follows a recently announced $600,000 general operations grant from the Texas Instruments Foundation. Combined, the two grants total $1.15 million in recently secured new funding.
The Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) award, made possible through the collective generosity of more than two dozen charitable funds at CFT, reflects broad philanthropic confidence in DBDT’s future as the organization prepares to enter its milestone 50th Anniversary Season.
“Dallas Black Dance Theatre is an artistic and civic institution for Dallas, with a national reputation that brings distinction to our region through its ensembles while also providing arts education to North Texas students,” said Wayne White, President and CEO of Communities Foundation of Texas. “Our grant reflects CFT's support for DBDT’s leadership transition and our commitment to long‑term organizational stability during a pivotal moment for the company.”
“This new investment from Communities Foundation of Texas reflects strong community confidence in the future of Dallas Black Dance Theatre,” said Jack Skinner, DBDT Board Chairman and President. “As we approach our 50th season, the Board is focused on disciplined governance, completing the recommendations put forward by the Task Force, and strengthening the organization’s operational foundation. We are pleased with the progress we have made and proud to have secured more than $1.15 million in new funding. These resources allow us to move forward with the recruitment of a new Executive Director from a position of stability and purpose.”
Executive Director Search Underway
DBDT has retained Arts Consulting Group to conduct a national search for its next Executive Director.
The Executive Director will provide strategic and operational leadership in partnership with the Artistic Director and the Board of Directors, with responsibility for financial oversight, revenue growth, administrative management, and external relations. The position requires a minimum of 10 years of senior nonprofit executive leadership experience, strong financial and fundraising acumen, and demonstrated success working with boards and diverse stakeholders. Experience navigating complex civic environments and working with unionized staff is strongly valued.
“Arts Consulting Group is honored to partner with Dallas Black Dance Theatre on its Executive Director search, supporting the organization’s next phase of leadership,” said Josyanne Roche, Vice President and Executive Search Practice Leader at Arts Consulting Group.
The Board’s decision to move forward with the national search reflects DBDT’s broader modernization efforts, including governance enhancements and strengthened operational systems, as the organization positions itself for long term sustainability and continued artistic impact.
Entering a Historic 50th Season
Founded in 1976, Dallas Black Dance Theatre is the largest and oldest professional dance company in Dallas and the fourth largest Black dance company in the nation. As it prepares for its 50th Anniversary Season, DBDT continues to build on its legacy of artistic excellence, arts education, and community engagement locally, nationally, and internationally.
The recent grants provide operational stability during a pivotal leadership transition while reinforcing confidence among civic and philanthropic leaders in DBDT’s mission and long-term trajectory.
ABOUT DALLAS BLACK DANCE THEATRE
Founded in 1976 by Ann Williams, Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s mission is to create and produce contemporary modern dance at the highest level of artistic excellence through performances and educational programs that bridge cultures and reach diverse communities. As the largest and oldest professional dance company in Dallas, DBDT is the fourth-largest Black dance company in the nation, ranks in the top 10 largest contemporary modern dance companies in the U.S. and is included among the nation’s 50 largest ballet companies by Dance Data Project. Located in the thriving downtown Dallas Arts District, the nation’s #1 Arts District (USA Today), DBDT has performed worldwide for over 5 million arts patrons and 3 million students in 33 states and 16 countries on five continents. The performances include three Olympics (1992, 1996, and 2012), the nation’s most prestigious venues (Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Broadway, Jacob’s Pillow and Joyce Theatre), and for such luminaries as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and South African President Nelson Mandela. Since 2020, DBDT performances have been viewed virtually in 43 countries and expanded to include virtual student matinees and cultural literacy programs. Since 2021, the virtual education performances have been viewed by nearly 200,000 K-12 students across 28 districts throughout the nation. The Company has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts as an American Masterpiece Touring Artist (2008) and received the Texas Medal of the Arts Award for Arts Education (2017).
For more details about Dallas Black Dance Theatre, visit DBDT.com.