September 20, 2025

Sade Lythcott Reveals National Black Theater's Next Chapter & Community Impact

00:33:25

Summary

Main Topic: The episode of Mick Unplugged features an interview with Sade Lithcock, the CEO of the National Black Theater, discussing her purpose, the impact of COVID-19 on the theater, and her vision for the future.

Key Points:

Sade Lithcock's purpose is to listen and interpret the seeds planted by her ancestors, specifically her mother, who founded the National Black Theater in 1968.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sade took the opportunity to focus on community building and civic engagement, leading the charge for culture in New York City and New York State.
The National Black Theater is reimagining its city block on 125th and 5th Avenue as an ecosystem for creatives to live, work, and serve, with a mixed-use building, commercial retail, and two performance venues.
Sade's bold vision for the theater is a $100 million multi-arts complex, which has already raised over $80 million towards its goal.
The theater will be a cultural hub for Black people and communities, pioneering new playwrights and actors, and touring immersive digital stories.

Participants:

Sade Lithcock, CEO of the National Black Theater
Mick, host of Mick Unplugged

About this Show

Mick Unplugged

Everybody talks about your WHY. Mick Hunt goes deeper. Mick Unplugged is the leadership and personal growth podcast built on one idea: your BECAUSE is the purpose underneath your purpose, and it is the most powerful force you own. Hosted by Mick Hunt, USA Today bestselling author and the voice of Modern Leadership, every episode sits across from a high performer, founder, athlete, or culture-shaper and asks the one question they cannot fake an answer to. What is your BECAUSE? Past guests include Shark Tank stars Daymond John and Kevin O'Leary, entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, motivational legend Les Brown, Chef Robert Irvine, comedians Rickey Smiley and Earthquake, NFL Hall of Famer Jared Allen, hospitality mogul David Grutman, and World Series champion Jeremy Guthrie. No scripts. No surface-level fluff. Just the real fire behind why they refused to quit. If you are a leader, an entrepreneur, or someone who is done coasting on motivational quotes, this is your show. You will walk away every week with mindset shifts, leadership strategy, and the kind of straight talk that actually moves you forward. New episodes drop weekly. Follow Mick Unplugged on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube so you never miss one. Your BECAUSE is your Superpower. Go Unleash It.

Recommended Episodes

Show Notes

Sade Lythcott is the CEO of the National Black Theater in New York City, carrying forward her mother Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s powerful legacy as founder of the institution in 1968. As a passionate advocate for Black artistry and storytelling, Sade has guided NBT through transformative times—including the COVID-19 pandemic and a major capital redevelopment project—while championing a holistic approach to theater production. Her leadership centers on honoring the dreams of her ancestors and creating spaces where Black voices, culture, and community thrive. Sade is dedicated to reimagining what theater can be, ensuring NBT remains a vibrant, innovative, and welcoming home for Black creatives, histories, and futures.

Key Takeaways:

Honoring Legacy While Innovating: Sade Lythcott centers her leadership around fulfilling her mother’s vision and the ancestral legacy of the National Black Theater, while pioneering new models like holistic producing and immersive storytelling experiences for the future.
Holistic Producing: NBT’s unique approach to theater, known as holistic producing, weaves together best-in-class artistic production with community engagement and social impact, ensuring every show supports both storytelling and civic dialogue.
Building for the Future: The upcoming redevelopment of NBT’s Harlem home represents both a physical and symbolic return "home" for Black theater artists. With new performance venues and residential spaces opening in 2027, the project is designed to be a lasting ecosystem where creatives can live, work, and serve.

Sound Bites:

"Never pray for strength, because you only get strength through struggle. Instead, I pray for grace and clarity."

"Holistic producing is best-in-class productions, dramaturgy, and community building—it’s about making you sit a little longer in the story and having real conversations together."

"When we cut that ribbon, it will be a testament—black artistry and storytelling will finally have a home, a monument to black excellence grown from generations of dreams."

Connect & Discover Sade:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sade1111/?hl=en

Website: https://nationalblacktheatre.org/

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Transcript

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**Mick Unplugged Podcast Script**

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**Host (Mick Hunt):** The National Black Theater, founded in 1968 during the Civil Rights Movement, has stood the test of time, including COVID. It remains a vital place for Black arts. Today, we discuss exciting 2027 plans with CEO, Ms. Sade Lythcott. We’ll explore holistic producing, community contributions, and the art of storytelling. Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Sade Lythcott.

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**Guest (Sade Lythcott):** Thank you, Mick. I’m great, blessed. How are you?

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**Host (Mick Hunt):** I’m honored and grateful to have you. You’ve made significant impact, and I can’t wait to discuss it. On the show, I ask about your "because," your deeper purpose. What’s yours?

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**Guest (Sade Lythcott):** My purpose is listening to and harvesting our ancestors' dreams, especially my mother, Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, who founded the National Black Theater. It’s about finishing her unfinished song and writing our ancestors back into our future through storytelling.

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**Host (Mick Hunt):** That’s powerful. How did you navigate COVID and its challenges?

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**Guest (Sade Lythcott):** COVID was a test of my mantra: never pray for strength, but for grace and clarity. It allowed us to reimagine our future, focusing on service and advocacy. We led efforts to reopen live venues and supported artists directly, seeing COVID as an opportunity for growth and innovation.

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**Host (Mick Hunt):** You’re a visionary. Can you explain holistic producing?

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**Guest (Sade Lythcott):** Holistic producing combines best-in-class artistic work with community engagement and social impact. It’s about creating conversations and connections, ensuring theater serves both storytelling and civic dialogue.

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**Host (Mick Hunt):** Exciting things are coming in 2027. What’s the vision for the National Black Theater?

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**Guest (Sade Lythcott):** We’re reimagining our Harlem block as a multi-use ecosystem for creatives to live, work, and serve. It’s a temple of liberation, a home for Black artistry, set to open in 2027.

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**Host (Mick Hunt):** What will the grand opening mean to you?

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**Guest (Sade Lythcott:** It will be a testament to Black excellence, a home for Black storytelling. It means we all get to come home, celebrating our culture and community.

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**Host (Mick Hunt):** You’re also the chair of the Coalition of Theaters of Color. Can you talk about that?

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**Guest (Sade Lythcott):** Founded by Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, the coalition advocates for theaters of color, securing funding and resources to preserve our stories and traditions.

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**Host (Mick Hunt):** What’s your boldest vision for the next decade?

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**Guest (Sade Lythcott):** A $100 million multi-arts complex in Harlem, pioneering immersive storytelling and fostering innovation, ensuring Black artistry thrives.

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**Host (Mick Hunt):** How can listeners support this vision?

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**Guest (Sade Lythcott):** Visit our website, nationalblacktheater.org, to contribute or name a space, ensuring our legacy endures.

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**Host (Mick Hunt):** Let’s do a quick five. Favorite pizza joint in Harlem?

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**Guest (Sade Lythcott):** V&T Pizza.

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**Host (Mick Hunt):** Morning ritual?

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**Guest (Sade Lythcott):** Meditation.

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**Host (Mick Hunt):** Song that takes you to a creative space?

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**Guest (Sade Lythcott):** " Spirit in the Dark" by Aretha Franklin.

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**Host (Mick Hunt):** Book or voice that changed your leadership?

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**Guest (Sade Lythcott):** James Baldwin’s "The Fire Next Time" and Nina Simone’s music.

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**Host (Mick Hunt):** Favorite vacation spot?

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**Guest (Sade Lythcott):** Salt water, sun, and poor service—I need to unplug.

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**Host (Mick Hunt):** Where can listeners find you?

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**Guest (Sade Lythcott):** Instagram @sade1111 or @NatBlackTheater, and our website nationalblacktheater.org.

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**Host (Mick Hunt):** Thank you, Sade. Remember, your "because" is your superpower. Subscribe, rate, and share this episode. Until next time, step up!

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Mick Hunt’s new book, "How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One," is available now. Follow Mick on Spotify, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and visit mickhuntofficial.com.

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