Black Theatre United (BTU) has launched a new collective, The BTU Collective; and has also appointed a number of new board members. The organization, founded in 2020, aims to educate, empower, and inspire through activism in the pursuit of justice and equality.

The BTU Collective will play an essential role in amplifying BTU’s mission to help shape the future of Black theatre through collaboration, advocacy, community engagement, and programming. Members will contribute fresh perspectives while serving as ambassadors of BTU’s values across the industry and beyond. The BTU Collective will be led by Co-Chairs Michael Oloyede and Lakisha May. 

Oloyede is a Nigerian-American actor, producer, and creator, and the founder of Scene & Heard, a creative community that provides space for TV and film writers, producers, directors, and actors to connect, collaborate, and develop original work. Oloyede has demonstrated his range across film, television, and stage, most recently making his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, where he originated four distinct roles.

May is an actor, producer, and advocate. As an actor, Lakisha has originated roles on Broadway in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Off-Broadway in shows such as Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Everybody, and regionally in shows like Robert Askins’ The Squirrels. Lakisha recently appeared onstage in Alice Childress’ Wine in the Wilderness at Classic Stage Company and Molière’s The Miser in the park. Her onscreen acting credits include Law and Order: SVU, City on a Hill, Historias del Canal, and others. Lakisha is an assistant producer with LaChanze Productions and with her company (CCC) has produced films with Nikyatu Jusu, Rashad Frett (Ricky), Saheem Ali, and other artists

Oloyede and May will be joined in the collective by Kaliswa Brewster, Kalyne Coleman, Ezra Ezzard, Mister Fitzgerald, Erica A. Hart, and Nikiya Mathis.

Newly appointed board members for BTU include Bryan Maxwell Collins, Darrelle A. Johnson and Kevin Brown. They join current board members Joseph P. Benincasa, Lisa Dawn Cave, Darius de Haas, Carin Ford, LaChanze, Capathia Jenkins, Molly John, Norm Lewis, Ginger McKnight-Chavers, Michael McElroy, Wendell Pierce, Tamara Tunie, Vanessa Williams, NaTasha Yvette Williams, and Schele Williams.

On the heels of a watershed moment in American society, Black Theatre United was formed in 2020. Founded and led by renowned artists and key industry leaders, Black Theatre United aims to help protect Black people, Black theatre, and Black lives of all shapes and orientations in communities nationwide. 

For more information, visit BlackTheatreUnited.com.