Smith brings over 20 years of experience fostering inclusion in cultural and political
spaces underrepresented by Black and brown communities, including senior roles at
major establishments like The Metropolitan Museum of Art and NYC Department of City
Planning
Brooklyn, NY – Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (Restoration), the
nation’s first community-economic development corporation, today announced it has selected
Shadawn Smith as its next Executive Vice President for Arts & Culture and Executive Director of
The Billie Holiday Theatre (The Billie). In this role, Smith will oversee all arts and cultural
initiatives and activities on Restoration’s campus as well as helming the iconic Billie Holiday
Theatre, which was recently awarded the National Medal of the Arts by President Biden.
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A natural communicator and accomplished professional, Smith has spent the majority of her 20-
year career in government affairs roles that touch upon her love for arts and culture, gravitating
towards work that intersects with community, arts, and economic development, which is why
this role means so much to her. She has dedicated her personal life to service in uplifting the
African diasporic communities in NYC. Prior to joining Restoration, Shadawn held senior roles at
NYC & Company, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC Council and the NYC Department of
City Planning.
“I am humbled by this opportunity to join Restoration and offer a new vision for artistic and
cultural expression in the Central Brooklyn community. Anchored by the Billie Holiday Theatre,
Restoration’s cultural initiatives function as an important introduction to the world of arts for local
community members, delivering world-class performances and exhibitions right in the heart of
Bed-Stuy. As we scale our offerings into Brooklyn’s premier performing and cultural arts center,
I am eager to further deepen our ties to the community and to uplift the nation’s next generation
of Black talent,” said Shadawn Smith, incoming EVP for Arts & Culture at Restoration.
As Executive Vice President for Arts & Culture, Smith will oversee the day-to-day administrative
and operational management of all arts activities on Restoration Campus, as well as work in
partnership with senior leadership to create and execute a comprehensive cultural plan that
advances the work of the institution and leads it through its next chapter of growth.
Smith will also oversee The Billie Holiday Theatre’s programs including Youth Arts Academy,
Skylight Gallery, Black Arts Institute, as well as subsequent events held on Restoration Plaza.
Smith will play a crucial role in advancing Restoration’s plans to reimagine its longtime Fulton
Street headquarters into Restoration Innovation Campus. The 800,000 square foot mixed-use
hub will center a completely updated Billie Holiday Theatre with upwards of 70,000 square feet
of studio, educational and programmatic space for the arts. With Innovation Campus,
Restoration plans to build the most comprehensive, visionary space for African American artists,
audiences and students in the country.
“Shadawn is a talented cultural leader and experienced community organizer with the requisite
skills to usher in the next chapter of Restoration’s cultural offerings,” said Blondel Pinnock,
President & CEO of Restoration. “A proven bridge-builder, Shadawn’s breadth of experience
engaging with communities across New York City will ensure that we continue to deliver the
thought-provoking and culturally representative experiences our community wants to see. I look
forward to working closely with Shadawn to deliver the cultural resources Central Brooklyn
deserves.”
“Shadawn is precisely the leader The Billie requires amid these exciting times of growth and
expansion. Her strategic expertise and deep relationships across New York’s political and
cultural landscapes will help ensure our beloved institution is well-resourced to continue
reaching the families we have served for generations,” said Toni Yuille Williams, Chair, The
Billie Holiday Theatre Board. “I am eager to partner with Shadawn to continue growing our
cultural offerings and I am excited to see how The Billie will flourish under her leadership”
Smith will officially assume her new role on June 1, 2023. Soon after, she will kick off a listening
tour to better understand what the Central Brooklyn arts community would like to see in
Restoration’s cultural programming. In the coming months, Restoration will unveil the details of
its cultural plan and the exciting opportunities the community can expect to see when the
Innovation Campus is completed.
