From the Pan African Film Festival's "A BETTER WAY" to Towne Center Theatre's NANCY CHERYLL DAVIS

The magnetic pull to get to Culver City was too strong for Mildred and me.

We settled into our seats at the Culver Theatre the morning of Saturday, February 21st for the 2nd screening of "A Better Way, James Lawson, Architect of Nonviolence" directed and produced by Karen Hayes, at the Pan African Film & Arts Festival. 

Courtesy of Pamela Tom

In a span of two hours, Mildred and I witnessed a lifetime of accomplishments by Reverend James M. Lawson, Jr. He was a major figure in the 20th century civil rights movement alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

The film explores Lawson's path to nonviolence beginning as a youngster and his steadfast dedication in the nine decades to follow. He enthusiastically recalled the first moment he heard of Dr. King and their first meeting. The film also covered the Meredith March, a name I recognized because I blogged about James Meredith previously.

I was there too to support Pamela Tom, producer of the film.

Pamela Tom standing next to the director & producer Karen Hayes (holding microphone)
seen at the February 16th screening

Pan African Film & Arts Festival (est. 1992) and Towne Center Theatre (est. 1993)

Mildred informed me later in the day that Nancy Cheryll Davis Bellamy, who founded Towne Center Theatre, passed away in 2024. I learned that Nancy co-founded Towne Center Theatre to give voice to African American experiences in live local theater. I took note of the chronology of the formation of these two organizations.

I met Nancy when I was hired as a temp in 1994. I was told then that I was filling in for Nancy, who was taking a leave due to a theatrical commitment. Though I was two years older, I took notice because I didn't know anyone sophisticated like that...involved with acting.

I did not see her again until 2010 when I came to a Towne Center Theatre production at The Stella Adler Theatre. 

I saved a brochure of hers promoting her stage productions of "Passing," based on the 1929 novel of the same title by Nella Larsen. Shown below are the images of Nancy from the brochure.

Nella Larsen, Librarian and Author

I, being a retired librarian, took notice that the acclaimed writer of Passing was a librarian. A short dive into Wikipedia indicated that she worked with librarian Ernestine Rose towards earning a library degree, and her employment in the New York Public Library system helped to integrate its staff.

Conclusion

Lawson and Nancy each settled in Los Angeles at different stages of their lives, and they both passed away in 2024.

Mildred said hundreds of people attended Nancy's funeral. "Doesn't always happen that quiet, consistent contributions are recognized."