Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center

The impresario of BET, Jackie Taylor, traffics in the almost-destructive-but-ultimately-redemptive lives of black legends of blues, jazz and rock & roll. Her biographical revue-tributes are by no means literary masterpieces, but the roof-raising performances of songs from the likes of Etta James and Jackie Wilson make up the difference. The indefatigable Taylor led a strong campaign to get this $16 million new facility built in the middle of the recession.