CATS: The Jellicle Ball has partnered with a plethora of Black, LGBTQIA+, and Arts organizations that serve to help amplify Black & queer voices and spread awareness for initiatives that serve these communities. This page is a hub to provide knowledge and assistance to all who seek to learn more. We vow to give our community their 10s on and off the stage!
Black Trans Liberation
Black Trans Liberation provides meals, resources, safety, and joy for Black trans communities.
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BTFA COLLECTIVE
BTFA Collective funds, protects, and uplifts Black trans femme artists by providing paid opportunities, creative space, and community care.
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NQT
National Queer Theater creates performances and education programs uplifting queer communities, advancing social justice, and celebrating free expression worldwide globally.
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Okra Project
The Okra Project provides direct, community-led support for Black trans people addressing food insecurity, housing instability, travel, and health access.
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OTA
Open To All produces inclusive ballroom events and creative experiences that center community, culture, talent, and high-quality production values together.
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PFLAG NYC
PFLAG NYC supports LGBTQ+ people and families through education, advocacy, and community partnership, building safer futures for youth and adults.
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PHILLY BLACK PRIDE
Philly Black Pride uplifts LGBTQ+ people of color, building equity, visibility, and community.
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SAGE
For over 40 years, SAGE has championed the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ elders. Through advocacy, community, and support, SAGE ensures that every LGBTQ+ person can age with dignity and pride.
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THE CENTER
Supports LGBTQ+ New Yorkers through safe space, health services, and community programs, empowering people to live healthy, dignified lives together.
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the Schomburg Center
Preserves and shares global Black history, arts, and culture through research, exhibitions, at the New York Public Library.
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Trevor Project
Provides 24/7 crisis support and prevention programs helping LGBTQ+ youth feel safe, seen, accepted, and supported through education research advocacy.
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YoungArts
Supports young artists through mentorship, funding, and opportunities that foster lifelong creative growth.
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Native Son
Empowers and amplifies Black gay, queer, and gender-nonconforming men through community, culture, and visibility.
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Live Out Loud
Builds confidence in LGBTQ+ youth through school programs, mentoring educators, and creating safer classrooms where students lead and belong freely.
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HMI
Supports LGBTQIA+ youth with affirming services, safe community spaces, and life-changing resources that help young people survive, grow, and thrive.
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BBB
Beyond the Black Box (BBB) is an arts & cultural organization dedicated to amplifying Black voices, fostering connection, and educating through immersive experiences that celebrate, honor, and uplift the Black dance community in NYC by creating spaces for artists to thrive.
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BALLROOM 101
BALL
A ball is an event, full of tradition and ritual and generally taking place late at night into the wee hours of the morning. It features a series of competitions known as categories, where participants walk (compete) on the runway before a panel of judges who hold Legendary and Iconic titles within the community. The key elements of a ball include…
JUDGES
Generally a panel of well-respected members of the Ball scene. Competitors perform for the audience, judges, and fellow community members to receive their tens (permission to compete), avoid getting chopped (cut from the category), and outperform the competition. The goal: snatch the grand prize (the first place title and trophy holder).
HOUSES
Most regular Ballroom participants belong to a house, led by a house mother or father, which is a sort of family that supports and guides one another both in balls and in everyday life. For many members of ballroom, house families or chosen family have served as necessary support systems when their parents/family members became distant. Some however, have both their chosen and blood family which also is common in the scene. Some of the fictional houses at tonight’s Jellicle Ball include the house of Dots (led by house mother Jennyanydots), the house of Macavity, and the house of Glamour. Those with no house affiliation are referred to as 007s.
THE LSS
(LEGENDS, STATEMENTS, AND STARS)
The start of the ball.The commentator (master of ceremonies) walks the runway, scanning the room and calling out prominent members of the Ball scene in attendance. LSS is an acknowledgment and honoring of those who hold status within the community, due to their undeniable performance in a category and/or contributions they’ve made to the community.
CATEGORIES
The bulk of a ball consists of a series of individual competitions, known as categories, which participants can enter and walk. Some are Open To All (OTA) while many have requirements for entry. It is also typical that a given category might be limited to participants of a specific gender. Categories vary from one ball to another and are often themed to the time of year or other cultural touchstones.
BATTLES
After a competitor receives their tens they then compete (battle it out) for the grand prize, often involving cash and/or a trophy. A battle consists of two or more participants walking simultaneously, from which the judges then choose a single winner.
LEGENDS & ICONS
When a Ballroom participant has performed exceptionally well in a given category or categories over many years, they are deemed Legendary. Icons are those who have surpassed even legendary status, having spent multiple decades in the scene while making an undeniable impact in the culture of their category or in the community. Even beyond Icon lie Pioneer, Blueprint, and Hall of Famer – in effect, lifetime achievement awards for those with an undeniable resume.
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Black Trans Liberation
Since its founding in 2020, Black Trans Liberation has served as a vital lifeline—providing meals, workshops, artistic development, and housing resources to a community disproportionately impacted by systemic oppression. Each week, BTL supports more than 250 community members, offering not only nourishment, but safety, fellowship, and joy. As federal resources continue to diminish, BTL has expanded its weekly meal program, mutual aid vegetable stand, and essential security services to maintain a calm, affirming environment. During the holidays, the organization also creates transformative celebrations for trans people who have been displaced or are in need of genuine care and connection. “Every meal served is an act of love and resistance,” says founder Qween Jean. “We are building a world where Black trans people can thrive, not just survive.”
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BFTA Collective
BTFA Collective (Black Trans Femmes in the Arts) is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) dedicated to funding, protecting, and uplifting Black trans femme artists through paid opportunities, community care, and creative space. At a time when resources are shrinking and hostility toward trans communities is rising, BTFA exists to ensure Black trans femmes can create without limitation. The organization builds community while providing tangible support through artist residencies, grants, studio access, professional training, and direct community aid. BTFA also facilitates cultural access through art visits and public programming, connecting artists to Broadway, museums, galleries, and performance spaces that are often financially inaccessible. Central to its mission is The List, a global database of Black trans femme artists across disciplines, creating pathways to employment and visibility worldwide. By centering those who shape culture yet are most marginalized, BTFA Collective not only preserves Black trans art and legacy, but actively builds a future where Black trans femme artists are resourced, visible, and thriving.
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NQT
National Queer Theater harnesses the power of live performance to imagine a more just and joyful future. Working alongside social justice movements, we uplift queer community through visionary theater productions and education programs that celebrate free expression in the U.S. and around the world.
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Okra Project
The Okra Project is a Black trans led, grassroots mutual aid organization providing direct support to Black trans and queer people impacted by food insecurity, housing instability, and barriers to mental health care. Through direct cash assistance for safe travel and food support, and access to affirming mental health resources, we work to meet immediate needs while building sustainable, community-led systems of care. The Okra Project is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) committed to transparency, accountability, and getting resources directly to those most impacted.
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OTA
Open To All (OTA) is an event production company rooted in community, creativity, and cultural excellence. Founded to uplift ballroom and adjacent creative spaces, OTA produces weekly events, large-scale themed balls, and curated experiences that center inclusivity, high production value, and artistic integrity. Through innovative programming, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to showcasing talent across disciplines, OTA creates platforms where culture thrives, voices are amplified, and community comes together.
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Pflag NYC
PFLAG NYC is the founding chapter of the nation’s foremost family-based organization committed to LGBTQ+ people and everyone who loves them. Founded in 1973, our mission remains the same today: to create a better future for LGBTQ+ youth and adults through a partnership of parents, allies, and LGBTQ+ people.
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Philly Black Pride
Founded in 1999, Philly Black Pride is a leading cultural and advocacy organization dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ+ people of color. Through dynamic programming, policy engagement, and strategic partnerships, we create spaces that educate, celebrate, and strengthen community by advancing equity, visibility, and connection for LGBTQ+ individuals in Philadelphia and beyond.
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SAGE
At SAGE, we envision a world where LGBTQ+ elders are valued, have limitless opportunities, and thrive. Since 1978, we have led the way in advocating for policies, services, and resources that empower LGBTQ+ elders to live openly and authentically. We have pioneered bold solutions to issues confronting LGBTQ+ older people, including many first-in-the-nation programs: a full-time LGBTQ+ older adult center, since expanded to four sites across New York City; the Friendly Visiting program for LGBTQ+ elders; the longest-running support group for older people with HIV; New York State’s first two LGBTQ+-friendly elder housing developments; and a national credential program on LGBTQ+ aging competency for service providers.
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THE CENTER
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The Schomburg Center
Founded in 1925 and named a National Historic Landmark in 2017, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is one of the world’s leading cultural institutions devoted to the preservation, research, interpretation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diasporan, and African experiences. As a research division of The New York Public Library, the Schomburg Center features diverse programming and collections totaling over 11 million items that illuminate the richness of global Black history, arts, and culture. Learn more at
schomburgcenter.org
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The Trevor Project
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Young arts
Established in 1981 by Lin and Ted Arison, YoungArts – the national foundation for the advancement of artists – identifies exceptional young artists, amplifies their potential, and invests in their lifelong creative freedom. YoungArts provides space, funding, mentorship, professional development and community throughout artists’ careers. Entrance into this prestigious organization starts with a highly competitive application for talented artists ages 15–18, or grades 10–12, in the United States that is judged by esteemed discipline-specific panels of artists through a rigorous adjudication process.
Learn more at youngarts.org
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NATIVE SON
Native Son is a movement, community, and platform created to inspire, empower, and celebrate Black gay, queer and gender nonconforming men. We amplify the voice and visibility of our community. Influenced by James Baldwin’s “Notes of Native Son,” we believe Our Voice, Our Story, and Our Power matters. We Are Native Son.
Native Son Website, Native Son Newsletter Sign-up, Native Son IG
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LIVE OUT LOUD
We work in partnership with schools to provide programs for LGBTQ+ youth that build their knowledge and understanding of LGBTQ+ history, the ongoing struggle for equality, and current issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community.
We are building their awareness, increasing their confidence, and helping them find their “voice” as advocates for themselves and others. Live Out Loud envisions a world in which all youth are free to be who they want to be and love who they want to love.
Live Out Loud also provides professional development training for teachers and educators, along with workshops for parents, equipping the adults in students’ lives with the tools to create safe, inclusive, and affirming school communities.
It is essential for Live Out Loud to be present on school grounds, where our work happens in real time—meeting students, educators, and families where they are and ensuring LGBTQ+ youth feel seen, supported, and protected in their everyday school environment.
Learn more about Live Out Loud at https://www.liveoutloud.org/
If you are interested in making a contribution to support our programs, please go to https://liveoutloud.org/donate/
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HMI
Hetrick-Martin Institute provides a safe, affirming environment for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 13–24 to achieve their full potential. For more than four decades, HMI has served low-income youth of color facing disproportionate barriers to safety, health, housing, and opportunity. Through comprehensive, wraparound services, HMI offers counseling, hot meals, healthcare linkages, housing support, job readiness training, and referrals that foster healthy development and long-term stability. Each year, over 2,000 young people find not only essential resources, but a trusted community that affirms identity, nurtures strengths, and empowers self-determination. As hostility toward queer and trans youth increases nationwide, HMI remains a critical lifeline when traditional systems fall short. The organization also provides free gender-affirming items, confidential therapy with licensed clinicians, and creative spaces like Kiki Lounge, where youth can build confidence through ballroom culture and self-expression. HMI’s vision is clear: every LGBTQIA+ young person deserves to be safe, celebrated, and supported to thrive.
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Beyond the Black Box
Beyond the Black Box (BBB) is an arts & cultural organization dedicated to amplifying Black voices, fostering connections, & educating through immersive experiences. Our mission is to celebrate, honor, & uplift the Black dance community in NYC by creating spaces for artists to thrive. Motivated by the lack of representation & support we faced in our own journeys, we promote inclusiveness, fairness, & visibility in the arts community. BBB produces multidisciplinary works, including week-long festivals & community initiatives, & reinvests all funding into the community. Thus offering artists of all backgrounds a platform, payment, and a safe space rooted in connection, healing, empowerment, & honest expression.
Our events center Black artists yet welcome all, pushing predominantly white institutions to reimagine how they hold space & share power. We seek greater access & visibility for Black artists, to build networks & strengthen community, and make NYC’s institutions more equitable.
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André de Shields
Old Deuteronomy
André De Shields (Old Deuteronomy). In a career spanning 55 five years, De Shields, at age 79, has distinguished himself as an unparalleled actor/activist, educator, iconic philanthropist and Broadway Deity. As an actor, De Shields’ mission is to fill intimate spaces with enormous beauty. He defines intimate spaces as the hearts of humanity. As an activist, he endeavors to restore majesty, elegance and literacy to the Black thespian’s toolbox, to advocate for long term survivors of HIV and AIDS, and to champion the legacy of the Wellderly (elderly individuals who continue to kick butt). His idiosyncratic career has resulted in a treasure trove of accolades, among them an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he has founded The André De Shields Fund. His other marks of esteem include being declared the triple crown winner of the 2019 awards season, having garnered Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Grammy Awards for his universally acclaimed role in Hadestown as ‘Hermes,’ messenger to the gods. Perennially renowned for his show-stopping performances in four legendary Broadway productions –The Wiz (title role), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Emmy Award), Play On! (Tony nomination), and The Full Monty (Tony nomination). His portrayal of ‘Old Deuteronomy’ in the radically re-imagined CATS: The Jellicle Ball was rewarded with the 2025 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical, 2025 Dorian Theater Award for Outstanding Featured Performance in an Off-Broadway Production, the 2025 LGBTQ Theater Trailblazer Award, and the 2024 AUDELCO Award, in addition to special citations from New York Drama Critics Circle and the Obie Awards. He also received nominations for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical from the Drama Desk and for Distinguished Performance Award by the Drama League. De Shields reigned as the Grand Marshal of the 51st Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, achieving the sui generis reputation as one of the ten wonders of New York City. UBUNTU! www.andredeshields.