NEW INAUGURAL ARTS GALA ANNOUNCED BY GHOSTLIGHT ARTS INITIATIVESUNDAY, JUNE 29
- Encore Staff Writer
- May 29
- 6 min read
ONE-NIGHT-ONLY EVENT CELEBRATING FIVE SEASONS OF ARTS PROGRAMMING INCLUDING THE FLAGSHIP OBSIDIAN THEATRE FESTIVAL
Evening to Honor Detroit Cultural Icons, Njia Kai and Dr. George Shirley
Detroit, MI - The GhostLight Arts Initiative (GLAI) is proud to announce the inaugural GhostLight Gala, taking place on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the Garden Theatre. This unique, one-night-only event will celebrate five seasons of the Obsidian Theatre Festival (OTF), recognize two legendary figures in Detroit’s arts community, and launch a bold new chapter for GhostLight’s mission-driven work in the performing arts.
“Limitless: A GhostLight Gala — Ignite the Possibilities,” will feature screenings of never-before seen content (Obsidian Theatre Festival) and incredible theatrical performances.
The event will also honor two legendary artists with local roots and international acclaim. Njia Kai – Legendary Detroit cultural arts producer and curator is the founder of NKSK Events + Production and had been a leader in the Detroit arts and culture scene for decades – programming events that have uplifted Black cultural traditions. Affectionately known as “Mama Njia” to many, she has mentored and trained numerous young artists and producers across Detroit.
“It’s impossible to exist as an artist in this city without knowing Mama Njia. We’ve all benefited from her creativity and mentorship.” says GLAI Exec. Dir and OTF Producing AD John Sloan III. “She continues to prove that creativity, success, and integrity are not mutually exclusive and we are thrilled to present her with the award for Arts Activism & Community Engagement.”
The second honoree of the evening will be Dr. George Shirley – The first African American tenor to perform a leading role at the Metropolitan Opera, professor at The University of Michigan, and a National Medal of Arts recipient.
“Dr. Shirley is a true legend.” says Sloan. “Not only has he been celebrated as an international opera trailblazer, but he has always maintained a strong connection to Detroit. His talent is undeniable, and so is his grace, wisdom, and leadership. It’s an honor to present him with an award in recognition for his legacy of Artistic Excellence."
Both awards will bear the names of their inaugural recipients, as future honorees will receive The Njia Kai Award for Arts Activism & Community Engagement and The George Shirley Award for Excellence in Artistic Performance.
The June gala will begin with a VIP reception at 6:00 p.m. at the Garden Theater, followed by an evening of light bites and appetizers. The evening will feature special remarks, video tributes, a live auction, raffle items and reflections from GhostLight’s leadership on the next phase of growth for the organization. Performers will be announced at a later date.
“For the past five years, The GhostLight Arts Initiative and The Obsidian Theatre Festival have illuminated the power of BIPOC artists, proving that our stories, our artistry, and our impact know no bounds. "Limitless" is more than a gala—it is a declaration”, says Sloan. “By believing in our limitlessness, we build something greater—our own future. A future where our art is not just seen but valued, where our voices are not just heard but amplified, and where our contributions shape the world around us.”
Sloan and GhostLight launched The Obsidian Theatre Festival in collaboration with Nicely Theatre Group and David Carroll. The inaugural season premiered amidst the pandemic, spanning Fall 2020-Spring 2021 with a goal of creating a sustainable platform for Black voices in theatre and film, based in Detroit.
This gala marks a pivotal moment as GhostLight prepares to grow connectivity across programs in response to the shifting political and social environment. With a focus on arts infrastructure, the Detroit IMPACT Arts Conference will move to the fall, launching a full season of programming that highlights the intersection of arts, activism, and policy. A series of community performances, conversations, and educational opportunities will follow, concluding with The Obsidian Theatre Festival next June to conclude a robust 2025-26 Season. This shift allows for greater intentionality, sustainability, and a deeper focus on new works that address urgent social causes.
Gala tickets are available online at www.ghostlight.art/limitless, or via email at tickets@ghostlighinc.com. Proceeds from the Gala will help support GhostLight programming, including the flagship Obsidian Theatre Festival, Detroit IMPACT Arts Conference, Young Artist Workshop, Encore Michigan, and more.
BIOS
NJIA KAI
Njia Kai is a celebrated cultural curator, producer, and community visionary whose life’s work has transformed how Detroit gathers, celebrates, and connects through the arts. A proud graduate of Cass Technical High School and alumna of Howard University, Kai’s path from making flyers for high school performances to producing some of Detroit’s most iconic festivals is both inspiring and enduring.
She is the founder of NKSK Events + Production, and for over two decades, she has served as the driving force behind beloved cultural moments in the city—most notably as Director of the African World Festival, a role she’s held for more than 12 years. Her production leadership spans Campus Martius Park, the Detroit Festival of the Arts, and all six of downtown Detroit’s public parks, which welcome more than four million visitors annually.
Kai’s background in filmmaking—highlighted by her work as a camerawoman on Julie Dash’s groundbreaking Daughters of the Dust—informs her remarkable ability to set the scene, not just on film but in public life. She is a placemaker in the deepest sense: reimagining and reclaiming Detroit’s civic spaces as joyful, people-centered hubs of activity and healing. Her commitment to cultural continuity and community restoration has made her one of the city’s most trusted and beloved cultural stewards.
To many, she is affectionately known as “Mama Njia”—a title that symbolizes the respect that many in the city have for her. Her name, “Njia”, the Swahili word for “path”, speaks to the legacy she continues to carve out: one that uplifts Black cultural traditions, redefines public space, and leads generations forward with vision, grace, and purpose.
DR. GEORGE SHIRLEY
A distinguished and versatile tenor with a groundbreaking career, George Shirley began teaching at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance in 1987. Five years later, the Board of Regents named him the Joseph Edgar Maddy Distinguished University Professor of Music. He was appointed director of the vocal arts division of SMTD in 1999.
Professor Shirley came to SMTD following more than 30 years of trailblazing firsts. He was the first Black person appointed to a high school teaching position in vocal music in Detroit; the first Black member of the US Army Chorus in Washington, DC; and the first Black tenor and second Black man to sing leading roles with the Metropolitan Opera, where he was a prominent artist for 11 years. In a performance career spanning more than six decades, Professor Shirley has won international acclaim for more than 80 operatic roles – as well as oratorio and concert literature – with major opera houses and festivals all over the world.
Professor Shirley has earned abundant awards and honors throughout his career. He won a Grammy Award in 1968 for singing the role of Ferrando in the RCA recording of Mozart’s Così fan tutte. He has been honored by the City of Detroit, the State of Michigan, and his alma mater Wayne State University on numerous occasions. He received the “Lift Every Voice” Legacy Award from the National Opera Association in 2003, and in 2007, he received the Trail Blazer Award from the National Association for the Study and Performance of African American Music. In 2014, he was presented with the Congressional Medal of the Arts by President Barack Obama.
George Shirley officially retired from SMTD with emeritus status in May 2007, but he continues to teach on a part-time basis at the school and privately. Having celebrated his 90th birthday in April 2024, Professor Shirley continues to be in demand nationally and internationally as a performer, teacher, and lecturer.
ABOUT THE GHOSTLIGHT ARTS INITIATIVE
The GhostLight Arts Initiative (GLAI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the use of the creative, performing, and media arts as catalysts for social progress. GLAI leverages every artistic avenue to create tangible and sustainable impact across the Detroit arts ecosystem, lessening economic barriers for BIPOC Artists. We support our community at home and abroad via culturally transformative artistic practices.
For more information, please visit: www.ghostlight.art
ABOUT GHOSTLIGHT CREATIVE PRODUCTIONS
Ghostlight Creative Productions is a Detroit-based, full service production company specializing in the creation of original film, theatrical, and performance content. Ghostlight offers high end, wrap- around event production services at a Broadway calibre that uplifts the underrepresented, and tells stories that are both compelling and complex.
For more information, please visit: www.ghostlightinc.com
ABOUT NICELY THEATRE GROUP
Nicely Theatre Group is a professional, non-profit theatre company dedicated to increasing public access to live theatre with affordable, diverse performances. Our productions will be inclusive and representative of our community while growing and supporting the arts in metro Detroit. For more information, please visit: www.nicelytheatregroup.org
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