Every performer of color, whether on Broadway or off, needs recognition and support. So, imagine being a child actor in this context. Who is there to support you? Fortunately there is [Young Gifted and Broadway (YGB)](https://www.instagram.com/younggiftedbroadway/?hl=en), a non-profit organization launched three years ago by Angela Russell, mother of Walter Russell III (a young actor previously in “The Lion King,” “MJ: The Musical,” and “Fire Shut Up In My Bones”). Detailing the origin of Young Gifted and Broadway, Russell recalled, “What began as a single performance at Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth has grown into a vital resource serving nearly 40 young performers and their families. The organization is dedicated to creating a vibrant, empowering community that supports, celebrates, and advances performers of color in Broadway theater. Through mentorship, advocacy, and performance opportunities, YGB ensures young artists are seen, heard, and primed to shine on the world stage.” YGB recently held its 3rd Annual Carter Awards (named after childhood Broadway star Ralph Carter, “Raisin”) at the Cantor Ballroom at the Marriott Marquis to celebrate the 2025-2026 theater season.
This year, Young Gifted and Broadway had a special spotlight on the following young actors of color for their performance in Broadway and off-Broadway shows: Andrea Rosa, Caleb Beltran, Emma Origenes, Firo Oliva, McKenzie S. Lewis, Julius-Raymond Weems IV (“The Lion King”), Christopher Sean Cooper Jr, Emjay Roa, Blake Taylor, Vann Jackson, Lincoln Alejandro Collier (“MJ The Musical”), Savannah Commodore, Jackson E. Davis, Dominique Skye Turner, Christopher T. Woodley (“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”), Ayaan Diop, Miles McNicoll (“Schimigadoon!”), Alijah Kraig Joesph, Kane Emmanuel Miller, Kaleb Johnson (“RAGTIME”), Zaynn Arora, Eric A. Williams (“Waiting for Godot”), Anjali Roa (“Frozen” Paper Mill Playhouse), Donovan L. Bazemore (“Oh Happy Day!”), and Albert Rhodes Jr (“Amahl and the Night Visitors”). It is amazing and wonderful to realize that there is an organization out there specifically created to support young theater actors of color. As a theater critic, I can personally attest to the talent of many of the youth listed above, whom I’ve had the pleasure of seeing in these various productions. There is definitely a feeling of pride and joy that one feels when you look on stage and see a performer of color singing, dancing, acting their hearts out.
YGB presented a special recognition award to Sandi DeGeorge, the esteemed child guardian for “RAGTIME,” honoring her years of dedicated guidance, care, and advocacy for child actors across numerous theatrical productions.
YGB provides masterclasses, theater outings, networking events, parent workshops, and mentorship from seasoned Broadway professionals. The organization frequently showcases talent at 54 Below for Black History Month, celebrates major Broadway debuts, and recently launched the YGB# (YGB Sharp) Vocal Ensemble to perform across the tri-state area.
YGB founder Angela Russell went into detail about what this organization does for the young thespians ages 7-17. “Programming for Young Gifted and Broadway begins in September and ends in June. Every year we host a Black History Month cabaret at 54 Below and we perform at Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth in Times Square. Our featured Masterclasses included cast members from ‘Hells Kitchen,’ ‘The Outsiders,’ ‘The Wiz,’ and most recently, ‘RAGTIME,’ where students learn actual choreography from the show. We also attended the following shows this year: ‘Radio City Christmas Spectacular,’ ‘RAGTIME,’ and ‘Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,’ where we had a talk back with the cast members, learning valuable knowledge from Ruben Santiago and Taraji Henson. For parents, we meet monthly, and focus on topics benefitting a Broadway parent including finding an agent, unions 101, choosing a vocal coach, investing, and tax prep for child performers. We were blessed to have Pamela Warner, mother of the late Malcolm-Jamal Warner as a guest speaker. As for Broadway professionals who have provided their time and talent, we have been blessed with the dance captains from ‘Hells Kitchen,’ ‘MJ The Musical,’ cast members of ‘Hamilton,’ ‘GYPSY,’ ‘The Outsiders,’ and ‘RAGTIME’ and others: Kimberly Marable (‘Chicago’), Matthew Sims Jr (‘The Wiz’), Nico DeJesus, Bonita Hamilton Caesar (‘Lion King’), and Jenny Mollet (‘RAGTIME’),” Russell said.
Russell talked about what is to come and was glad to share, “We are honored to announce our collaboration with Camille A. Brown & Dancers’ community engagement initiative, Every Body Move (EBM), [that] will provide dance workshops for Young Gifted and Broadway in the fall. This year, we began our vocal choir, led by vocal coach Nattalyee Randall, and successfully held our first recital at Abyssinian Baptist Church in March 2026 and performed with Ray Chew at the HarlemWeek outdoor concert at Grant’s Tomb.”
YGB founder Angela Russell was recently inducted into the Lloyd Richards Fellowship hosted by Julius Hollingsworth and the Lloyd Richards Appreciation Day 6.29 committee.
Looking towards sustaining this important non-profit organization Russell had this message: “Young Gifted and Broadway is a 501(c)3 non-profit that relies on donations to make dreams come true! Tax deductible donations can be made at givebutter.com/YGB and for those interested to learn more about YGB, they can go to our socials @younggiftedbroadway, our website younggiftedbroadway.org or email info@younggiftedbroadway.org.
