City Council Cuts $250,000 Grant for Dallas Black Dance Theatre Over Firing Controversy

The Dallas City Council made a bold decision Wednesday by withdrawing a $250,000 grant from the Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT). The move followed the firing of the theatre’s dancers four months ago and was meant to signal that union busting will not be tolerated.

Despite the theatre’s recent settlement with the dancers’ union, council members found the resolution insufficient. Griff Braun, national organizing director for the American Guild of Musical Artists, criticized the theatre’s leadership and urged the council to deny the funding.

“This marks four months of public outcry, falling ticket sales, and damage to the institution’s reputation,” Braun stated. “Leadership has shown no accountability for their poor decisions.”

Settlement Agreement Lacks Impact:
DBDT President Georgia Scaife shared details of the agreement. It includes financial restitution for the dancers, employee training, and revised policies to encourage communication with management and the board.

However, Braun argued these measures fall short of meaningful change. “The board ignored public calls to hold leadership accountable,” he added.

Council Members Push for Change:
Councilmember Paul Ridley led the effort to redirect the grant to other arts organizations. He emphasized that without leadership changes, the agreement was inadequate.

“What’s missing is a real promise for change,” Ridley said.

Councilmember Adam Bazaldua opposed using the grant to fund the settlement. “This decision sends a strong message. If the organization doesn’t improve, there will be no funding next year,” Bazaldua remarked.

Balancing the Arts and Accountability:
While most council members supported the cut, some expressed concern about harming an organization with a long history of positive contributions to Dallas’s arts scene.

This decision reflects the city council’s focus on transparency and accountability. Whether DBDT can rebuild trust and its reputation remains uncertain.