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The oldest Black nonprofit theater in New York state, , marks its 60th anniversary with a gift to the Foundation for City College: the donation of its extensive archives to T��ɫ��Ƶ’s . 

A mainstay in the community since its 1964 founding as New Heritage Repertory Theater by playwright, set designer, actor and lecturer Roger Furman, NHTG has spawned productions, workshops, and presentations that reflect the historical, social and political experiences of African and Latino descendants in America and abroad. NHTG counts luminaries such as Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Gertrude Jeanette, Rosetta Lenoir and Alice Childress among its many alumni.

In 1983, award-winning music and theater producer Voza Rivers took over the company as executive producer, reorganizing it under the name New Heritage Theatre Group. Rivers expanded the mission to provide training, experience and international exposure to veteran and emerging performing artists. 

“City College has always been special to me,” said Rivers. He noted that when the company had to vacate its space in Harlem following Furman’s death that year, “CCNY welcomed us with open arms,” providing Aaron Davis Hall for productions that had been brought over from London. The College “not only accepted us, but gave us a residency,” he said. He also brought the cast of the musical , then running at Lincoln Center’s Mitzi Newhouse Theater, to Davis Hall in 1987.

In 1997, Voza and Executive Artistic Director Jamal Joseph – an award-winning writer, director, documentary film maker and educator in his own right — formed IMPACT (I-Inspiration M-Motivation P-Preparation A-Activism C-Commitment T-Teamwork) Repertory Theater, the company’s performing arts division. Once again, CCNY provided space for the fledgling enterprise, which now boasts more than 1,000 alumni.

Rivers and NHTG co-founded the in 2001. It has since grown from a founding membership of 12 to more than 400 arts and culture members representing all disciplines and areas of the arts.

The donation to CCNY includes documents and materials from New Heritage Theatre Group’s affiliate divisions including: Committed Artists | South African Theatre Company (1983); Community Works (1989); Community Works Harlem Is… (1990); Harlem Shakespeare Festival (1991); Harlemwood Film Festival (1997); Harlemwood Records (1997); New Heritage Films (1997); and Impact Repertory Theatre (1997).

“The opportunity to house the New Heritage Theater Group's archives within the City College library is immensely attractive,” said President Vincent G. Boudreau. “It marks a milestone in our efforts to position the college as a more vibrant and collaborative neighbor in our Harlem community. The professional preservation of these precious records will capture for future generations a crucial chapter in the cultural heritage of Harlem and its African American artists. We are deeply proud to be in partnership with New Heritage Theater and with Voza Rivers."