Trivia

A graduate of the University of Illinois, first came to Harlem as a schoolteacher, but soon became known as a dancer, an actress, and a producer and director.

Founded the National Black Theatre in Harlem, New York City in 1968.

She was the founder of the National Black Theater of Harlem.

Her son Michael ("Omi") Lythcott is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University's Business School; her daughter, Barbara ("Sade") Lythcott, is a graduate of New York University.

Was the subject of the book "Barbara Ann Teer and the National Black Theater, Transformational Forces in Harlem" by Lundeana Marie Thomas.

In 1983, a fire totally destroyed NBT's studios. Rather than look for new rental space, Teer purchased the building in which they were located and orchestrated the $10 million renovation and remodeling of the facility.

Especially drawn to the Yoruba people of Nigeria, which she visited many times and from which she brought Yoruba artists to New York to create works for the theater building.