Dear Neighbor,

Yesterday I announced the award of $4 million in federal funds to be invested in Baltimore’s Arena Players Incorporated Theater, the oldest continually operating African American community theater in the United States. This money was included in the final 2023 government funding appropriations package because of work done in tandem with Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen. 

The dollars will go directly towards redeveloping the volunteer organization’s three-story playhouse, with upgrades to include renovations of the main performance space, a complete re-envisioning of the auxiliary spaces on the second and third floors of the building, revitalization of the exterior, and improvements to ensure ADA accessibility and compliance.  

Arena Players was founded in 1953 by a group of visionary citizens, actors, and activists: Jimmie Bell, Bernard Byrd, Doris Dilver, Aurthur Thurogood, Irvin Turner, Joe Wilson, Julius Wilson, and Sam Wilson. Since then, the organization has maintained an admired history of giving to the community through exceptional dramatic achievement. For 70 years, the stories of the community have been told through the Arena Playhouse.  

I proudly fought to secure this investment for Arena Players Incorporated and know our community is better because of the work they volunteer to do.

Yours in service,

Kweisi Mfume
Member of Congress