Blog

<figure id="figure-c5nz13ki0ombsj9as4"><iframe id="c5nz13ki0ombsj9as4" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xec19s-s6cI" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xec19s-s6cI" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xec19s-s6cI" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>Yesterday, we had the pleasure of being interviewed by Lyndia Grant of "The Lyndia Grant Show" on our upcoming production, "Fannie Lou Hamer... Until I'm Free"Listen in as our Executive Director, Jackie Carter and our lead actress, Zacaria Manigult, speak on the history of Fannie Lou Hamer, what the play focuses on, as well as Children's Legacy Theatre.The interview begins at the 14:59 mark.&nbsp;Our show premieres on June 19th, 2025 at the Family Theater in the Kennedy Center. Secure your FREE tickets <a data-mce-href="https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stage/2025/june/childrens-legacy-theatre/" href="https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stage/2025/june/childrens-legacy-theatre/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>!Note: You will need to register on the Kennedy Center website with an email address. Ticket limit is 2.

Radio Interview with Lyndia Grant

<figure id="figure-s4duh73anmbshch65"><img id="s4duh73anmbshch65" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/34JqqkI2bKVUB8aAgKqCesvr76SGoYS285dFiMBHR2OIQMcXVwxIbsmbmznDuepJ.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 50% 50%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="3:2" data-caption="" data-positionX="50%" data-positionY="50%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>The feature, written by Howard University News Service reporter Ashley Young, highlights how Children’s Legacy Theatre founder Jackie Carter is centering Black history and youth empowerment through her Southeast D.C. program. Operating from a new space in a church on Alabama Avenue, the theater now serves 55–60 students per year, providing them with a nurturing environment to rehearse, grow, and have their voices heard hunewsservice.com. The article delves into Jackie’s personal journey—born in 1961, moving frequently through poverty and instability in Virginia, discovering her passion for performance at family events, pursuing theater at Howard University, and launching her youth-focused program in 1996 to address a lack of internships for theater studentsYou can read the article <a data-mce-href="https://hunewsservice.com/features/a-local-theater-founders-commitment-to-black-history-and-youth-empowerment/" href="https://hunewsservice.com/features/a-local-theater-founders-commitment-to-black-history-and-youth-empowerment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

A Local Theater Founder’s Commitment to Black History and Youth Empowerment

<figure id="figure-l4c1hpuvmembshldon"><img id="l4c1hpuvmembshldon" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/1ceQTEHkyQjHgeH7elwMprgdpACQl5Knd7cZr7TmFFK4Sl8vXTjGvnbAL0BuM8DE.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/1ceQTEHkyQjHgeH7elwMprgdpACQl5Knd7cZr7TmFFK4Sl8vXTjGvnbAL0BuM8DE.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Reporter Phylicia Ashley profiles Children’s Legacy Theatre, highlighting its impactful work in Anacostia supporting youth facing some of the toughest challenges in D.C., including those in foster care. Founder Jackie Carter, who opened the program in 2016, shares how the lack of arts exposure in her own upbringing motivated her to create a safe creative hub for these young people. Serving roughly 150 youth ages 10–18 each year from Wards 7 and 8—many living with ankle monitoring, parenting responsibilities, or in foster care—the theater provides paid training and performance opportunities wjla.com. Recently honored with the Kennedy Center Social Impact Award, the troupe will stage its entire 2025 season at the Kennedy Center, underlining the program’s growing success in empowering young talent.You can read the article <a data-mce-href="https://wjla.com/news/local/foster-care-childrens-legacy-theatre-anacostia-kennedy-center-children-theatre-ward-7-8-stage-acting-skills-performances-talents-young-lives-orphans-washington-dc" href="https://wjla.com/news/local/foster-care-childrens-legacy-theatre-anacostia-kennedy-center-children-theatre-ward-7-8-stage-acting-skills-performances-talents-young-lives-orphans-washington-dc" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">here</a>.<figure id="figure-v7kbzgp46qmbshhmrk"><iframe id="v7kbzgp46qmbshhmrk" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hsDi375fcDU" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsDi375fcDU" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hsDi375fcDU" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>.

Local theater initiative nurtures young talents, offering hope to DC's foster children

<figure id="figure-rmhn60uo4imbsgwcr9" class=""><img id="rmhn60uo4imbsgwcr9" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/18gNIt03JJx9xzPI99ePERMYRM0xHoBUXb6Gm2mA5pCmnswHZQYM3Tvtg1xvpKnB.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/18gNIt03JJx9xzPI99ePERMYRM0xHoBUXb6Gm2mA5pCmnswHZQYM3Tvtg1xvpKnB.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Children’s Legacy Theatre is showcasing "Mystic Library", an original play featured in its 10th annual Ten‑Minute Play Festival in Anacostia, according to Lyndia Grant. The story, crafted by six teen playwrights, follows a group of youth who discover that their beloved neighborhood library is threatened with closure due to city budget cuts—and band together to save it. Produced with support from the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program, the ensemble of over 80 D.C. youth involved in the production gain hands‑on experience across all aspects of theater—from writing and acting to stage management, set design, and marketing. Executive Director Jackie Carter highlights the program’s mission to diversify the theater industry pipeline, steer teens away from negative paths, and instill leadership qualities through creative teamwork.You can read the article <a data-mce-href="https://www.washingtoninformer.com/mystic-library-play-festival/" href="https://www.washingtoninformer.com/mystic-library-play-festival/">here</a>.

THE RELIGION CORNER: A ‘Mystic Library’ in Anacostia

<figure id="figure-g2q3180fpxmbsj00em"><img id="g2q3180fpxmbsj00em" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/fiZbsLiMLhMzL8XmB431PuMScaG9jtjrXEi70QgZ5trSuvZ7pNvfnJzk938bPWKJ.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/fiZbsLiMLhMzL8XmB431PuMScaG9jtjrXEi70QgZ5trSuvZ7pNvfnJzk938bPWKJ.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Reporter James Wright Jr. covers the 10th annual Multicultural Holiday Celebration and Youth Gift Drive hosted by the Anacostia Coordinating Council at THEARC’s Black Box Theater. About 200 community members from Ward 8 attended the event, which featured performances celebrating multiculturalism and included a skit from "The Amen Corner" by Children’s Legacy Theatre. Executive director Jackie Carter emphasized her students deserve compensation for their dedication. The evening also included remarks from D.C. Attorney General‑elect Brian Schwalb on Hanukkah, a presentation on Kwanzaa principles, and heartfelt community support for local families in need.You can read the full article <a data-mce-href="https://www.washingtoninformer.com/youth-talent-feted-at-anacostia-coordinating-councils-holiday-party/" href="https://www.washingtoninformer.com/youth-talent-feted-at-anacostia-coordinating-councils-holiday-party/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">here</a>.

Press

Radio Interview with Lyndia Grant

A Local Theater Founder’s Commitment to Black History and...

Local theater initiative nurtures young talents, offering...

THE RELIGION CORNER: A ‘Mystic Library’ in Anacostia

Youth, Talent Feted at Anacostia Coordinating Council’s H...