Ford and Le’Monier herald a new chapter for the organization
Brooklyn, NY – News Direct – viBe Theater Experience
The viBe Theater Experience Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Beryl Briane Ford and Michelan Le’Monier as the organization’s new executive co-directors. The organization has been under her interim leadership in this capacity since November 2021, and viBe’s Board of Directors unanimously approved her permanent appointments in March 2022.
Ford and Le’Monier are well suited to lead viBe in its next chapter because of their demonstrated institutional experience and track record of expanding the organization’s operations, budget and programming. You are ready to shape, manage and inspire viBe’s advancement as an employee and in partnership with its talented employees and deeply committed Executive and Junior Board.
“I am very excited to lead this organization alongside Beryl Briane! Since joining the viBeApprentices program in 2017, I have known that I want to contribute to this community of artists, and this position really comes full circle for my experiences as a participant and as a collaborator. As Co-Executive Director, my vision is that abundance is a lifestyle, not a privilege, for black girls, young women, and women through art and wellness. viBe has grown tremendously over the past few years and it is my goal to continue driving that growth with the support of our board and employees.”- Michelan Le’Monier
“I firmly believe that investing in the leadership of Black girls, young women and gender-expansive youth is one of many critical pathways to liberation. I am committed to building and maintaining these pathways in my new role as Co-Executive Director. I joined viBe in October 2020 from the Museum of Modern Art with a desire to support viBe’s broader mission of creating safer spaces for youth to create art that is deeply rooted in their lived experiences. It is an honor to strengthen her work alongside Michelan, viBe’s Staff & Board. I am very excited to co-lead an organization responsible for nurturing the artistic and professional practice of emerging artists, administrators, and educators. I look forward to continuing this legacy.”- Beryl Briane
This shared leadership model is a living manifestation of viBe’s ethos of investing in and activating leadership opportunities for young people. Much of viBe’s work uniquely positions the organization within the larger nonprofit sector, cultivating pathways for program participants to become arts practitioners in the field and leaders in their own right. In fact, the co-executive leadership model is not new to viBe – the organization was co-founded and led by Dana Edell and Chandra Thomas when they were both under the age of 25. Ford and Le’Monier look forward to continuing the organization’s nearly 20-year commitment to centering the voices of young black women.
Both Ford and LeMonier have strong histories as leaders at viBe Theater Experience, having been trained and mentored by former Executive Director, Toya Lillard, as Development Associate and Operations Director, respectively.
“As CEO, I couldn’t be prouder of the growth and impact of viBe – and our new co-leaders are positive proof that our journey WORKS! Inclusive and dynamic programming, an unshakable purpose, implicit trust in Black women, centering lived experiences, and cultivating leadership from within is what we practice and preach.” Cheryl Oberton
Ford and LeMonier are committed to continuing viBe’s influence within the theater community both locally in NYC and nationally, providing greater visibility and supporting more young people seeking to share their artistic genius with the world around them . They are committed to deepening the organization’s advocacy work in its core areas: racial equality, gender and healing justice, youth and women’s empowerment, and financial justice. Together, they will strive to ensure viBe is at the forefront of these issues through key partnerships with individuals, community and impact-driven organizations, and mission-driven companies.
With a clear vision for viBe’s present and a larger vision for the future, her appointment will preserve viBe’s historical impact while propelling the organization into a new era of growth. Her appointment shows a deep commitment to Centering Black Women’s Leadership in the Arts. As an organization, viBe is dedicated to building pathways for professional and artistic advancement for Black women. This appointment not only demonstrates this investment, it is a clear call to the wider community to consider and build the systems and structures that ensure the success and advancement of Black women in the arts.
viBe Theater Experience produces original theater, music and media written and performed by NYC teens, young women and non-binary black youth from NYC about their lived experiences. Visit www.vibetheater.org for more information
For downloadable high-resolution images, visit vibetheater.org/press-room
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viBe theater experience
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viBe theater experience
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https://www.vibetheater.org
View the source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/vibe-theater-experience-names-new-co-executive-directors-beryl-briane-ford-and-michelan-lemonier-153569473
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