The Detroit company, struggling in a period when Michigan and Detroit face economic woes, is the recipient of a year-end $30,000 donation by Leroy C. and Julia Richie. The charitable donation of $30,000 includes $25,000 shares of DaimlerChrysler AG (DCX) stock. The gift is the largest donation from an individual or couple received by Plowshares in 2006.
A portion of the 415 shares of stock is to be used to set up an endowment for the not-for-profit troupe, run by co-founder and producing artistic director Gary Anderson.
"Building — and sustaining — the uniquely special institution that is Plowshares is the responsibility of all of us who care deeply for the arts and Detroit. We give this gift in admiration of Gary Anderson. He demonstrates a level of commitment that is rare in my experience," stated Richie.
Anderson stated in a Dec. 27 announcement, "I am stunned by this display of faith in myself and the ideals of Plowshares. We will take this gift and use it as a foundation on which to begin building a sustained and supported company for the long-term."
The Richies are well-known community leaders in Metro Detroit. Leroy "Roy" Richie, is the former vice-president and general counsel of Chrysler Motors Corporation. He has served as an officer for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and the Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he served on the board of Marygrove College and the Detroit Bar Foundation. Richie served as vice chairman of Detroit Economic Growth Corp. and Detroit Medical Center. Currently, Richie serves in an "Of Counsel" role for the law firm Lewis & Munday, PC. Julia Richie is president and CEO of The YES Foundation, an organization providing an array of youth development programs in Detroit. One such, the YES for PREP initiative done in partnership with Marygrove College, helps prepare bright teenagers for college preparatory high school. Married since 1972, the Richies have two daughters, Brooke and Darcy, and live in Birmingham, MI.
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Plowshares Theatre Company is a nonprofit 501(c)3 arts organization formed in 1989 "to produce plays and programs that inspire, exhibit, and affirm African American life." Since its inception, Plowshares has served the people of Southeastern Michigan by providing an artistic forum for the discussion of tolerance and creating awareness between communities.
The Equity company's current season includes The Bluest Eye, Wedding Band, Julius X, Kind Hedley II and Dark Cowgirls & Prairie Queens.
For more information, visit www.plowshares.org.
