The award will be presented to Taylor May 3 as part of Equity's Central Regional Board Meeting at the Union's Chicago office. The Rosetta LeNoire Award, established in 1988, recognizes "outstanding artistic contributions to the universality of the human experience in American Theater." The Award is given to "an individual, theater or producing organization with an exemplary record in the hiring or promotion of ethnic minorities, female actors and actors with disabilities through multi-racial and/or non-traditional casting," according to Equity.

Taylor began the Black Ensemble Theater more than 30 years ago with a $1,200 loan. The company has since grown into a million-dollar cultural organization that has earned national recognition. She has produced and directed more than 55 plays, several of which have toured the country. Taylor is also an accomplished playwright and actress. She has penned more than 100 plays. As an actress, Taylor's stage credits include The Other Cinderella, Sweet Mama's Stringbean and her one-woman show, All About Me.