See and Be Seen: The Black Rep’s 47 Anniversary Gala

Award recipients Dan Isom, Wendell Pierce, Richard Lawson and Susan Block (center) with Black Rep founder Ron Himes, gala co-chairs and award presenters *photo by Bryan Schraier*

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Lifetime Achievement Award honorees Wendell Pierce and Richard Lawson led a star-studded evening of celebration for The St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre.

Pierce and Lawson, longtime actors of both stage and screen, received the 2023 Woodie King Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize their decades-long contribution to the arts.

Also honored were St. Louis attorney Susan Block and former St. Louis police chief Dan Isom, both of whom received the Frankie Muse Freeman Spirit Award for their years of advocacy and commitment to social justice.

Black Rep founder and producing director Ron Himes welcomed guests to the event at the 560 Music Center, which included a VIP cocktail reception and dinner, an award ceremony and a performance by the evening’s headliner, the acclaimed Tuskegee University Golden Voices Concert Choir. An after-party with dancing and dessert capped off the evening.

Among the evening’s presenters were actor Antonio Fargas and vocalist Denise Thimes. Nicole and Abe Adewale, and John and Christy Nickel served as event co-chairs.

Proceeds from the gala benefit The Black Rep’s education and community programs.

For the third year in a row, Gazelle proudly served as the event’s media sponsor.

photos by Bryan Schraier