Black Artists, Organizations Protest After Trump Seizes Control of Kennedy Center

President Donald Trump has taken management of the John F. Kennedy Middle for the Performing Arts in Northwest, D.C, putting the historic establishment beneath his direct authority; and in response, some Black artists and organizations are canceling performances to protest the choice.

At a Kennedy Middle Board assembly on Feb. 12, Trump was elected chairman, changing financier and philanthropist David M. Rubenstein. 

“It’s a Nice Honor to be Chairman of The Kennedy Middle, particularly with this superb Board of Trustees,” Trump posted on social media. “We’ll make The Kennedy Middle a really particular and thrilling place!”

The board additionally terminated Kennedy Middle President Deborah F. Rutter and appointed former Trump administration official Richard Grenell as interim govt director. 

The Kennedy Middle, which had lengthy maintained a bipartisan board, is now fully managed by Trump and his allies. Earlier than he turned chairman, the administration eliminated 18 board members who President Joe Biden had appointed, and the brand new board contains Susie Wiles, Dan Scavino, Usha Vance—spouse of Vice President JD Vance—and different shut Trump associates.

The transfer has drawn fast backlash from African American artists and organizations.

Actress and producer Issa Rae additionally introduced she would now not host the March 16 occasion, “An Night with Issa Rae,” on the Kennedy Middle. 

“Sadly, resulting from what I consider to be an infringement on the values of an establishment that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds via all mediums, I’ve determined to cancel my look at this venue,” the actress and creator of “Insecure,” wrote in a publish. 

Additional, with the announcement of Trump as chairman, Alfred Road Baptist Church in Northwest, D.C., which hosts its annual Christmas efficiency on the Kennedy Middle, introduced on Sunday, Feb. 16 that it too would finish its relationship with the nationwide arts venue.

“We consider that the brand new management’s opposition to the Kennedy Middle’s long-standing custom of honoring creative expression throughout all backgrounds is misaligned with our unwavering fee to proclaim and apply the transformative and redemptive love of Jesus, to pursue justice, to advertise equality, to embrace the present of range, and to take care of all of creation,” the church declared in an announcement.