Roc Nation-Led Gaming Project Commits $10 Million to Create New York Coalition of Legacy Theatres of Color Fund Upon Receipt of Gaming License; Legacy Theatres of Color's Productions to be Marketed to Caesars Customers & Rewards Members; Will Extend Broadway Labor Benefits for Daycare, Student Debt Repayment, & Job Fairs to the Employees of the Theatres & Ensembles of Color
Caesars Palace Times Square, in partnership with award-winning actor and producer Wendell Pierce, announced a $10 million investment to launch and sustain the New York Coalition of Legacy Theatres of Color Fund, a 501(c)3, to support theaters and ensembles focused on telling the stories of New York’s communities of color while combatting the longstanding funding inequities they face. Pierce recently earned a Tony nomination for his portrayal of “Willy Loman” in the Broadway revival of “Death of a Salesman,” becoming the first Black actor to play the role in a major production. Earlier in his career, he received a Tony Award as a producer of “Clybourne Park,” an exploration of race, community, and gentrification loosely based on Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun.”
The new fund will support theaters of color and provide direct investments to boost production, marketing, and awareness of New York’s legacy theatres of color, like The Billie Holiday Theatre, the New Heritage Theatre Group, the Black Spectrum Theatre, and The Negro Ensemble Company. All theaters benefiting from the fund will have access to critical benefits already offered by Caesars Palace Times Square, including childcare for performers and stage crews; student and medical debt relief and rental assistance; and exclusive job opportunities at Caesars Palace Times Square through its monthly theater labor job fair. The fund will be governed by a board of diverse and respected arts leaders—including Pierce—and will be open to further contributions from private donors.
In addition to the fund, Caesars Palace Times Square will cross-promote and market the legacy theaters through its Caesars Rewards database of 65 million members via the Caesars Rewards app, and on-site at their proposed gaming and entertainment destination.
“As an artist and advocate, I believe that the social justice movement of the 21st Century is economic development and creating opportunities that sustain and uplift our communities—both on stage and beyond,” said award-winning Actor Wendell Pierce. “Caesars Palace Times Square is a formidable investment, creating access and opportunity, with a profound creation of jobs in the greatest cultural economy of the world. This project will not only be transformative for our creative Broadway community but for the broader labor force as well. I fully endorse this project and recognize this is a powerful step toward ensuring that cultural groups of color are not just included but are leaders in shaping the future of Times Square — with a commitment to workforce inclusion, community partnership, and artistic vibrancy for all.”
In addition to his advocacy for communities of color, Pierce continues to lead an illustrious career in the entertainment industry. Universally hailed for his portrayal of "Det. Bunk Moreland" on HBO’s groundbreaking series “The Wire,” he also won the African American Film Critics Association's Best Male TV Actor award for his role in "Elsbeth" in 2024, most recently starred as "Perry White" in the box office hit film "Superman,” and coming up will star in Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest.”
“Representation doesn’t just matter on the stage, but also behind the scenes and in the systems that support artists,” said Desiree Perez, CEO of Roc Nation. “Creating this fund is a step toward equity in the entertainment industry, and we’re proud to be part of a project that centers the people and places that built New York’s creative legacy.”
The investment reflects Caesars Palace Times Square’s continued commitment to investing in New York City’s cultural core, supporting the creative workers who power the Theater District, and listening to the communities that call Times Square home. Caesars Palace Times Square is the joint bid from SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, Roc Nation, and Live Nation to bring a state-of-the-art gaming and entertainment destination to 1515 Broadway. This initiative is contingent on Caesars Palace Times Square being awarded a gaming license from the State of New York at the end of the year.
About Caesars Palace Times Square
Caesars Palace Times Square has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in Times Square and New York City with its significant commitments to public security, sanitation, and live performances as well as partnerships with neighboring theaters, restaurants, hotels, and landlords. Caesars Palace Times Square will revitalize and reenergize New York’s economic engine and cultural capital. SL Green Realty, Caesars Entertainment, Roc Nation, and Live Nation are partnered on a bid to win one of three new gaming licenses and convert the existing office building at 1515 Broadway into a state-of-the-art, world-class gaming and entertainment destination.
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