The Ebony Showcase Theater has been an iconic cultural institution in Los Angeles, California since its establishment in 1950. Over the years, it has played a pivotal role in teaching art and culture to inner city youth, providing a platform for talented artists and fostering community engagement.

The Ebony Showcase Theater was founded by Horace Winfred "Nick-O-Demus" Stewart and his wife Edna. Nick Stewart was a prominent and well-respected actor best known for his role as Lightnin' on the hit TV show "Amos 'n' Andy" and for voicing Brer Bear in the historical and iconic 1946 Disney movie "Song of the South". Nick used the money he earned from his acting jobs on Song of the South and other movies to create the Ebony Showcase Theater, the first theater to be owned by a black man.

The Ebony Showcase Theater (whose complex consisted of not only the Theater itself but also 8 apartments, an annex, a print shop, a thrift store, a restaurant and a house) provided a venue for performers of all races, many of whom went on to become stars in their own right such as Nichelle Nichols, Boris Segal, Greg Morris, Frank Severe, Isabel Sanford, Juanita Moore, Margaret Avery, John Amos, Will Schallert and others. Stewart also met, worked with and became very good friends with countless other show business legends from different backgrounds, many of whom also worked and performed at the Ebony Showcase Theatre, including Alan Young, Louis Armstrong, Milton Berle, Eddie Cantor, Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, George Burns, Mae West, Bill Robinson, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Teddy Buckner, Lena Horne, Duke Ellington, Jack Benny, Rudy Vallee, Rod Serling, Billy Crystal, Arsenio Hall, B.B. King, Etta James, Phil Collins, Gladys Knight, Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Paul Butterfield, Chaka Khan, Billy Ocean, Dr. John, Eric Clapton, and many more.

When Nick was called back to reprise the role of Brer Bear for Disneyland’s Splash Mountain in the late 1980's, the money he earned for reprising the role for that ride once again went towards continued funding for the Ebony Showcase Theater.

Unfortunately, despite its rich legacy, the theater and its entire complex were shut down and demolished by the Los Angeles government in the late 1990's and was replaced by the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, leading Nick Stewart to die from a broken heart in 2000 as a result of his life's work being stolen from him.

If more people knew what Nick Stewart did with his platform, he and his roles would be celebrated a lot more. The work of Nick and his colleagues does not deserve to be diminished. One of Nick’s children, his daughter Valarie, was also known throughout Los Angeles and elsewhere for her charm and generosity and had very strong goals for wanting to clear her father’s good name of the lies perpetuated about him and his colleagues. Nick even received a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP and the Living Legend award from the National Black Theatre Festival in 1995.

The Ebony Showcase Theater holds immense historical significance and has served as a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations of artists and audiences alike. Nick Stewart envisioned his theater as a hub for talent that would challenge stereotypes and promote genuine inclusivity, including giving African American actors chances to play roles other than butlers and maids.

By rebuilding the Ebony Showcase Theater and its entire complex and renaming it to Nick Stewart’s Ebony Showcase Theatre, we can revitalize an essential part of California history while also creating opportunities for emerging artists from diverse backgrounds.

This restoration project will not only preserve an important piece of African American heritage but also contribute significantly to the local economy by attracting tourists interested in experiencing the vibrant arts scene. To ensure the success of this endeavor, we call upon government officials at all levels (local authorities such as City Council members and Mayor's Office representatives, especially those in Los Angeles) and executives from The Walt Disney Company (which previously took part in efforts to restore other historic theaters such as the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood and the New Amsterdam Theater in New York City) to allocate funds towards rebuilding the Ebony Showcase Theater and its entire complex and renaming it to feature the founder’s name. Additionally, we urge community organizations with vested interests in promoting diversity within arts communities to collaborate on this project along with the appropriate companies and parties that defamed the Stewart family and their great work and their shareholders involved in restoring this cherished venue.

Together with your support through signing this petition today, we can send a powerful message to decision-makers that the Ebony Showcase Theater must be resurrected. Let us stand united in preserving this cultural gem, ensuring that future generations from all backgrounds and walks of life have the opportunity to witness and celebrate art, culture, and history. Let’s stand united to resurrect Nick Stewart’s Ebony Showcase Theater.