At the recent Town & Country Philanthropy Summit, Broadway’s leading lights, including Tony-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell, urged everyone to contribute their time, talent, or treasure, emphasizing philanthropy as a collaborative art essential for community resilience in uncertain times.
For fans of classic films and the performing arts, the world of philanthropy might seem a distant stage from the silver screen. Yet, as Tony Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell eloquently put it at the annual Town & Country Philanthropy Summit on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, in New York, “life is a collaborative art.” This powerful message resonates deeply within the theater community, where collective effort is the key to bringing impossible stories to life. Mitchell, a Broadway icon and longtime chair of the Entertainment Community Fund, emphasized that just as a theatrical production unites actors, stagehands, and creatives from all walks of life, philanthropy thrives when everyone contributes.
The summit brought together a constellation of Broadway stars, including John Leguizamo, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff, and Celia Keenan-Bolger, to deliver a unified message: the present moment demands that everyone donate at least something of their time, talent, or treasure. This urgent call comes at a critical juncture, with year-end “giving season” approaching amidst significant challenges for the nonprofit sector.
The Stakes Are High: A Call for Collective Action
The lifestyle magazine Town & Country framed the current philanthropic landscape in stark terms. Reports from Bank of America indicate a concerning decline in charitable giving among households. Compounding this, the Trump administration’s vast cuts to social services grants have placed an increased burden on an already strained nonprofit ecosystem. In this environment, the responsibility to support vital causes falls on an ever-shrinking number of donors, making the message from Broadway’s finest all the more critical.
Brian Stokes Mitchell exemplifies a life lived philanthropically. During the early pandemic shutdowns in New York City, he famously brought joy to his neighborhood with simple nightly serenades from his apartment window. His commitment to social justice was further cemented in 2020 when he became a co-founding member of Black Theatre United, addressing Broadway’s lack of diversity in the wake of the racial justice movement.
Mitchell articulated a profound truth about human nature and giving: “Wherever you look, all over the world, everything seems to be going a little bit crazy. People feel very off centered and out of phase, and they’re not able to find their own happy part. And I think the easiest, quickest way to do that is to help others and give to people that are less fortunate.” This sentiment deeply resonates with the fan community, who often see their favorite stars as beacons of hope and positive influence, both on and off the stage.
The Business of Doing Good: Corporate Philanthropy’s Force Multiplier
The summit also underscored the crucial role of businesses in alleviating stress on the nonprofit sector. A panel of corporate philanthropists at Hearst Tower highlighted how companies are uniquely positioned to galvanize employees and consumers for charitable causes. This can be achieved through effective workplace giving programs and point-of-sale nonprofit partnerships.
A compelling example came from Carol Hamilton, former U.S. president of acquisitions for L’Oréal. Following the 2008 financial crisis, Hamilton spearheaded efforts for L’Oréal’s luxury brands to raise millions for UNICEF’s safe water initiatives. Now retired, she continues to rally her former beauty industry colleagues to support a new UNICEF initiative focused on empowering girls to influence national policies and combat gender-based violence. Hamilton referred to corporate giving as a “force multiplier,” demonstrating how the credibility of a major brand like L’Oréal can inspire broader industry support for philanthropic endeavors.
Protecting Culture and Building Community: The National Black Theatre Model
Another highlight of the summit was the elevation of Harlem’s National Black Theatre as a leading model for responsible public-private partnerships in historically underserved communities. Sade Lythcott, CEO of the National Black Theatre, is spearheading the redevelopment of its iconic 125th Street space into a multi-disciplinary cultural arts center. This ambitious 21-story facility, scheduled for its first performances in 2027, will not only offer a state-of-the-art theater complex but also provide much-needed affordable housing for artists.
Lythcott’s partner in this visionary project is Dasha Zhukova Niarchos, founder of the real estate development company Ray and wife of Greek shipping heir Stavros Niarchos III. Their collaboration emphasizes a crucial principle: development should protect and enhance culture, rather than displace it. Their goal is to create an ecosystem in Harlem where Black artists can live, work, and enrich the surrounding community, fostering a vibrant cultural hub.
The success of the National Black Theatre’s 2022 Pulitzer Prize-winning production of “Fat Ham,” which successfully transferred to Broadway, stands as a testament to the undeniable value of diverse stories in Midtown Manhattan’s renowned theater district. With just $14 million remaining to reach its fundraising goal for the new Harlem home, Lythcott’s project illustrates how philanthropy and business can truly “do well by doing good” together.
“There is no community, there is no neighborhood, there is no wealth without a rooted sense of belonging and being,” Lythcott passionately stated. “What arts and culture does is really hold your hand and become a north star to how we connect with each other — across generations, across economic backgrounds, across ethnicities.”
Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Spirit of Giving
The Town & Country Philanthropy Summit served as a powerful reminder that philanthropy is not just for the ultra-wealthy, but a collaborative endeavor open to everyone. From Broadway stars inspiring individual action to corporate leaders fostering large-scale initiatives and cultural institutions building community, the message is clear: sustained, collective effort is vital for a thriving society. As fans, recognizing the impact of these figures beyond their craft only deepens our appreciation for the enduring power of the arts to inspire both on stage and in the world.
