Founded in 1968 by cultural visionary Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, this 12 million dollar theater complex houses two performing spaces; one 250 seats, the other 99 seats. It has been functioning as a cultural and education institution and since 1983, has owned and operated its home on 125th Street. NBT uses its facility to generate revenue to support and improve its programmatic activities. It is the only black theater in America to realize such goals.