BLACK ARTS & CULTURE ALLIANCE OF CHICAGO (BACA) ANNOUNCES

BLACK ARTS & CULTURE ALLIANCE OF CHICAGO (BACA) ANNOUNCES

Special honors were awarded to Pemon Rami, Eve L. Ewing and Professor Roxanne Stevenson, in addition to award winners in literature. visual arts, dance, theater and music

Chicago, IL — The Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago (BACA) has announced the winners of the 2025 Black Excellence Awards, honoring and celebrating Chicago theatre, dance, music, film, literary, and visual artists. The 24th annual event was held on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St. in Chicago.

Throughout the evening, Special Honor Awards were presented to: Pemon Rami (Excellence in Film); Eve L. Ewing (Excellence in Literature); and Professor Roxanne Stevenson (Excellence in Music and Music Education).

The complete list of 2025 Black Excellence Awards winners is as follows:

Dance

Outstanding Achievement in Dance – Overall Performance: Praize Productions - Complexions

Outstanding Achievement in Dance – Choreographer: Rasheida Smith, Love Jones - Move Me Soul

Literature

Excellence in Community Engagement – Literature: The Underground Bookstore

Music

Outstanding Achievement in Music – Male Performer: Gregory Gibbs

Outstanding Achievement in Music – Female Performer: Lucy Smith

Theater

Outstanding Achievement in Theater – Production: If You Think You’re Lonely Now - Theater 47

Outstanding Achievement in Theater – Director: Daryl D. Brooks, That’s What Friends Are For: Gladys, Dionne, and Patti - Black Ensemble Theater

Outstanding Achievement in Theater – Male Performer: Ronald L. Conner, Fat Ham - Definition Theatre

Outstanding Achievement in Theater – Female Performer: Rhonda Preston, Blue Eyed Soul Song by Brown Eyed People - Black Ensemble Theater

Special Recognition Theater – Director: Malika Stampley, Primary Trust - Goodman Theatre

Special Recognition Theater – Performer: Gregory Fenner, Topdog/Underdog - The Gift Theatre

Visual Arts

Outstanding Achievement in Visual Arts – Artist: Dayo Layo - “Watercolors”

Outstanding Achievement in Visual Arts – Gallery Exhibition: Faie African Art Gallery

Special Honor Awards:

Special Recognition Excellence in Literature – Fiction: Eve L. Ewing

Special Recognition Excellence in Film: Pemon Rami

Special Recognition for Excellence as a Music Director and Jazz Educator: Professor Roxanne Stevenson

The mission of the Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago is to collectively advance excellence in the work of the Black arts and culture sector. The Alliance works to increase interaction, communication and development of black arts organizations and artists, while delivering programs that increase their visibility, marketability, stability, and sustainability.

Founded in 1997 as the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago and rebranded the Black Arts & Cultural Alliance of Chicago (BACA) in 2023, BACA offers a diverse range of events and programs that celebrate the rich heritage of the Black arts community in Chicago. Events and programs are designed to engage, educate, and inspire individuals (artists and patrons) who are passionate about Chicago’s Black arts and culture.

With new leadership in November 2024, the organization has been reorganized and revitalized, including a return to its original mission and a new focus in building the Board and programming, increasing membership, and creating websites that appropriately support BACA’s mission and purpose.

BACA is going strong after 28 years, with a full slate of events and programs celebrating the rich heritage of the Black arts community in Chicago.

In August 2025, BACA launched the Black Arts Directory of Chicago to serve as a vibrant online hub for African American and minority performing arts and culture in Chicago and beyond. The directory spotlights theatre, dance, music, and cultural events to celebrate rich artistic traditions. BACA prioritizes connecting audiences with diverse cultural experiences, showcasing the talents of Black and Brown artists that showcase the dynamic ingenuity and creativity of Chicago’s Black artists and organizations. It celebrates the rich narratives, historical relevance and artistic expressions that define African American and minority performing arts.

To find out more and view the Black Arts Directory visit https://www.blackartsdirectory.org/. The Black Arts Directory is made possible by an Arts Recovery Program grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

The BACA staff is Executive Director Luther Goins, Grants Writer & Development Manager Ilesa Duncan, and PR, Marketing & Design Director Doc Wheeler. The Board of Directors includes President Jackie Taylor, Vice President Sydney Chatman, and members Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Troy O. Pryor, Portia McFarland, William Gill, Ericka Ratcliff, Shawn Wallace, Daryl D. Brooks, and Roxanna Conner.

For more information about the Black Arts and Culture Alliance of Chicago, visit https://www.bacachi.org/.

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