playbill vip

Welcome and thank you for joining the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) as we come together again with our original production to celebrate Broward’s native daughter and leading lady of stage and screen Ms. Esther Rolle. Originally, this play was commissioned for Esther Rolle's 100th birthday on November 8, 2020 but due to the ongoing world health crisis we presented this play in 2021 as a socially distanced outdoor drive-in event! Never thinking that it would resonate so well, but here we are back by popular demand bringing attendees this beautiful narrative as an innovative outdoor theatre experience during our yearlong 20th anniversary celebrations.

Continuing in our commitment to share and educate about Rolle’s history making legacy of art, activism, and advocacy both on and off the screen, the AARLCC is home to the Esther Rolle Archival Collection. Our intent with this project is to showcase not only the importance of libraries and archives but also the power of the Arts and the universal story of never giving up one’s dreams and aspirations. Head Above Water reveals Esther Rolle as an example of perseverance and how we all owe a debt of gratitude to her every time we watch a television show that is more diverse, more inclusive, and more representative.

There are so many to thank but first, to the dynamic and amazing staff of AARLCC. Thank you for your can-do spirit! You all aspire to do great and good things for this community, and I am proud to work with you all every day. To name names, Belvit Jordan. Ms. Jordan has been the visionary for this project and we thank her for her creativity and leadership. Erin Daniels, Sheena Sewell, Natasha Henderson your time and energy seems limitless. Thank you so very much for all that you’ve done to make this production happen. Thank you to Broward County Libraries director Allison Grubbs for being incredibly supportive of all of our ideas at AARLCC. Thank you to Jermaine Thompson and the building services crew.

To our funders, JM Family Enterprises your integral financial support enabled us to mount this production again bigger and better! To the City of Lauderdale Lakes who generously donated the use of the city’s showmobile and this was made possible thanks to Commissioner Veronica Edwards Phillips and the other amazing women Treasa Brown-Stubbs and Glenda Brockington with the City of Lauderdale Lakes. And just like we are back again with our play, I want to thank Broward Cultural Division and Phil Dunlap for supporting this project for the second time. Our ongoing gratitude goes to Community Foundation of Broward’s and their Art of Community Grant which provided the original funding for this project. Without them we would not be here this evening for the show’s second run. 

Thank you again to the Rolle family for letting us celebrate your loved one. Many thanks to the Friends of AARLCC for their support. If you are looking for philanthropic and volunteer opportunities, please consider becoming a donor or member of the Friends of AARLCC. Your support ensures that AARLCC can continue to create innovative programs like what you are experiencing tonight. Enjoy the show!

Makiba J. Foster

Manager, The African American Research Library & Cultural Center