Brooklyn: ViBe Theater Experience has named Beryl Briane Ford and Michelan Le’Monier as the organization’s new executive co-directors. They follow Toya Lillard in the role.

“It is with great pride and joy that I celebrate Michelan and Beryl Briane as the new co-directors of viBe,” said Lillard, who is currently interim managing director of 651 Arts, in a statement. “During my tenure as Executive Director, I have felt a commitment to support the leadership of Black girls, young women and gender-balanced youth and to uphold a tradition of supporting the next generation of artists, leaders, activists, educators and theater makers. And so it is quite fitting and intended that Michelan and Beryl Briane’s leadership demonstrate what it means to trust and invest in young black women.”

Ford previously served as viBe’s development partner, while Le’Monier served as the organization’s operations manager. Her appointment is intended to preserve viBe’s historical impact and demonstrate her commitment to investing in and centering the leadership of Black women in the arts.

“I firmly believe that investing in the leadership of Black girls, young women and gender-biased youth is a critical path to liberation,” Ford said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to help lead an organization that advances the artistic and professional practice of emerging artists, administrators, and educators of color.”

“Since joining the viBeApprentices program in 2017, I knew I wanted to contribute to this community of artists,” Le’Monier added in a statement. “As co-director, I see abundance through arts and wellness as a lifestyle, not a privilege, for black girls, young women and gender-balanced youth.”

ViBe Theater Experience produces original real-life theatre, music and media written and performed by New York girls, young women and non-binary youth of color.

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