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BTC Honors Industry Trailblazers at the 3rd Annual “Building the Change” Gala
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On Monday, March 9, 2026, BTC will gather artists, advocates, and industry leaders at the Rainbow Room in New York City for its 3rd Annual “Building the Change” Gala—an evening dedicated to honoring excellence, leadership, and sustained impact across theater, film, television, cultural institutions, and music.
The gala takes place at the Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Floor), beginning with a 6:00 PM cocktail hour, followed by dinner and a tribute at 7:00 PM ET.
This year’s honorees represent a wide spectrum of creative power and cultural stewardship:
Taraji P. Henson
Thomas Schumacher
Susan Fales-Hill
Jessica Matten
Honoring Leadership, Legacy, and Cultural Impact
With the blessing of the Boseman family, BTC will present the Chadwick Boseman Change Maker Award to Taraji P. Henson—recognizing her far-reaching work as an Academy Award–nominated actor, producer, bestselling author, mental health advocate, and entrepreneur. This spring, Henson makes her Broadway debut in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, directed by Debbie Allen, while continuing to expand her influence across film, television, publishing, and wellness.
The BTC Visionary Ally Award will be presented to Thomas Schumacher, honoring more than three decades of leadership shaping global standards in film, television, and theatre. Schumacher’s work has helped define modern musical theatre and expand access to the arts worldwide.
BTC will also present the Poitier–Belafonte Award for Cultural Activism—with permission of the Poitier and Belafonte families—to Susan Fales-Hill. A celebrated writer, producer, author, and arts advocate, Fales-Hill’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to cultural storytelling, philanthropy, and institutional leadership.
The Lynn Nottage Bold Beacon Award will be awarded to Jessica Matten / Indigenous Film Academy, recognizing Matten’s work as an actress, producer, and system builder creating direct pathways for Indigenous talent in film and television. Through her leadership, storytelling becomes infrastructure—linking opportunity, training, and real employment.
Why the Gala Matters
Since its founding, BTC has placed 126 diverse individuals into fellowships and apprenticeships with leading Broadway productions and arts organizations, drawing more than 2,000 applicants to date. The gala serves as both a celebration and an engine—fueling BTC’s continued work to dismantle barriers and move beyond the “illusion of inclusion” in the American theatre ecosystem.
Tickets, Tables, and Support
Tickets for the “Building the Change” Gala begin at $1,000 and are available now:
https://givebutter.com/BTC2026
About BTC
Founded in 2019 by T. Oliver Reid, Warren Adams, and Reggie Van Lee, BTC became a nonprofit 501(c)(3) in 2020 with a clear mission: to remove systemic barriers for historically marginalized communities and build a sustainable, ethical roadmap for the next generation of talent.
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