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Black History moment with Ms. Kala

Tribute to the Co-Founder of Freedom Theatre’s Robert E. Leslie Sr. who passed this Thursday. In 1968 Mr. Leslie joined with the late John E. Allen, Jr., who first established the theatre in 1966, and together they pursued a dream to make the theatre-arts and education accessible to the African American community. The dream of having Pennsylvania oldest African American theatre lives on. He taught so many of us that we had to stand up for artists, our youth, and the values and culture which makes African Americans so special. It was Mr. Robert E. Leslie Sr. who founded Freedom Theatres acclaimed Performing Arts Training Program and thousands of Philadelphians began their careers in that program on the stage and in the classrooms. His legacy will live on through all who walked through the doors of Freedom.

I am proud to say that I was blessed with knowing and learning from Mr. Leslie. I met the Mr. Leslie when I became a student at Freedom Theatre when I was 10 years old, and worked with him as an acting teacher and in public relations. Through him I learned determination, strength, and what it means to work hard for what you want and to do a good job at it. And when I did he would always tell me “Good job kid” even as an adult. He helped me to become the person that I am today. Thank you Mr. Robert E Leslie Sr. Co-Founder of Freedom Theatre.

His viewing will be held Wednesday from 3-7pm at Freedom Theatre and the funeral will be held on thursday, at Hickman Temple AME Church viewing from 9-11am, services from 11-1pm. The family is asking that In lieu of Flowers donations be made to Freedom Theatre.

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