About us

KAREN BROWN: ARCHITECT OF THE VISION (Artistic Director, Founder)

Karen Brown is the executive authority behind The Negro Ensemble Company (NEC), bringing her years of service to the legendary company, including the past three years as Executive Director. Her leadership ensures Black Visionary Theatre's vital legacy continues through new works that examine current African American concerns. She was the driving force and concept creator for the world premiere of “Mecca is Burning,” which debuted at Penn Live Arts as part of its 2022-23 season.

Her current role as Artistic Director of the Black Visionary Theatre (BVT), is focused on their ensemble company which supports actors, directors, producers, and playwrights, an effort she believes is "vitally important to the African American experience."
She carries the mission of a thriving company founded in 1967 and draws artistic inspiration from seminal works like Ntozake Shange’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf.”
BVT Role: Artistic Direct, responsible for all artistic integration for immersive stagecraft, justifies Layer 3 corporate consulting fees, and manages production capacity.

JAMES ‘PREZ’ CARTER: THE PRODUCTION ARCHITECT (Co-Founder)

James ‘Prez’ Carter provides the non-negotiable technical authority for BVT. His career proves our capacity to execute complex, high-stakes immersive productions, meeting the quality standards of global media giants.

Platinum Credential: EMMY Award Winner (ABC Good Morning America) and recipient of the 2010 Audelco Award for Best Lighting Designer.
Network Capacity: 22-year production veteran for ABC Good Morning America.
High-End Production Credits: Extensive work as a production leader on HBO, Netflix, NBC, and CBS productions, including Law and Order, The Punisher, and Saturday Night Live.
Master Gaffer, Cinematographer, Executive Producer, and Tech Director.
BVT Role: Directs all technical integration for immersive stagecraft, justifies Layer 3 corporate consulting fees, and manages production capacity.

SHEMA'YAH BEY: THE VISIONARY STRATEGIST (Creator of The Ninth Ether IP)

Shema'yah Bey is the Chief Intellectual Property Officer and the creator of the Ninth Ether Methodology and the digital ambassador, Aya Ninthe. He provides the unique, proprietary foundation that makes BVT's content non-replicable.

Proprietary Asset: Creator of The Ninth Ether Methodology, BVT's proprietary framework for staging visionary works.
Unique Expertise: Paramount independent researcher in the field of esoteric science.
His work explores the unseen foundations of Secret Societies, World Religions, and Unbelievable Technologies.
Former radio talk show host and television personality in Philadelphia, PA.
BVT Role: Provides the proprietary "source code" for all creative content, leads IP licensing for corporate partners, and guides strategic narrative development.