On Thursday, Feb. 20, The Hippodrome Foundation, in partnership with Disney’s The Lion King, hosted a celebration of Black artistic excellence at The Exchange inside the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in Baltimore’s Bromo Arts District.
The event, held in honor of Black History Month, welcomed over 300 students from Baltimore area schools, including young people from grades six through 12 and college students.
Cast members from The Lion King, including Baltimore native Keith Bennett (Resident Director), Mukelisiwe Goba (Rafiki), Erick D. Patrick (Simba), and Thembelihle Cele (Nala) performed songs from the musical and participated in a Q&A session moderated by Downtown Partnership’s Shelonda Stokes. The discussion focused on Black excellence in the arts, the cast members’ careers, and their roles in the production.
The Lion King was performed at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center from February 12, 2025, through March 2, 2025. (Teri Henderson)
