Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) has named Kristie Patton Foster as its next Executive Director following a nationwide search led by Board Chairman Jack Skinner and a five-member committee of nonprofit and civic leaders. Advised by Michael M. Kaiser, President Emeritus of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and former executive director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Arts Consulting Group conducted the nationwide search.
Foster brings more than two decades of nonprofit leadership experience spanning donor cultivation, board governance, operations and strategic planning. Most recently, she provided executive leadership support to The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc., advancing strategic priorities and organizational effectiveness for the national civic and advocacy organization. Previously, Foster served as Executive Director of The Links, Incorporated and The Links Foundation, Incorporated. Founded in 1946, The Links, Incorporated is one of the nation’s most prominent organizations for Black women focused on service, education and civic engagement.
“This is an important moment for DBDT as we prepare to begin our 50th anniversary,” said Skinner. “Kristie stood out during a highly competitive national search because of her leadership experience, fundraising success and ability to build strong relationships across communities. She understands the history of this institution to Dallas and is the right leader to help guide DBDT into its next chapter.”
Not a stranger to the North Texas’ nonprofit and civic community, Foster previously served as the Area Development Director for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and Director of Community Relations and Corporate Development for the VHA Health Foundation in Irving. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded record-breaking fundraising campaigns, overseen capital projects and managed muti-million-dollar organizational budgets while implementing measures of cost efficiency.
“The Dallas Black Dance Theatre has long been one of the nation’s most respected cultural institutions, and I have admired the organization’s impact for many years,” said Foster. “As DBDT approaches its historic 50th anniversary season, I look forward to working alongside the board, artistic leadership, dancers, staff and community partners to build on its extraordinary legacy while expanding community engagement, strengthening partnerships and supporting the organization’s long-term future.”
A part of a broader organizational transition, the hiring of Foster follows recommendations from an independent advisory stakeholder task force of civic, nonprofit and business leaders that conducted extensive reviews of governance, stakeholder engagement, organizational policies and long-term sustainability.
A steward of the historic Moorland YMCA in the Dallas Arts District, DBDT operates five performing ensembles, provides extensive arts education programming across North Texas schools and serves as a cultural ambassador for Dallas nationally and internationally.
