Jimalita Tillman wears many hats: Mother, Daughter, Friend, Writer, Producer, Executive Producer, Global Director of Programs and Operations, and the list goes on.
The world of theater has always been a passion and dream of hers,. She gets to live that passion and dream every day as a key executive of the Harold Washington Cultural Center and the Broadway In Bronzeville Beyond Borders initiative, a production and arts outreach program that has traveled to more than a dozen countries and U.S. territories to develop arts curriculum with academic leaders by engaging in cultural exchange.
Always a beacon of light, she was instrumental in the “Save our Stages” legislative campaign,, which resulted in the creation of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), providing over $14 billion in COVID-19 economic relief to more than 13,000 performing-arts venues and organizations, movie theaters, talent representatives, producers, and museums.
For her efforts, Tillman has been honored by The Black Women’s Expo with a 2022 Phenomenal Woman Award, WVON’s 40 Under 40 Game Changers Award, and was recognized by the Congressional Black Caucus for her dedication, commitment to arts advocacy, and contributions to live musical theater and performing arts in Chicago.
N’DIGO recently sat down with the ever-busy Tillman to discuss her start in theater, her many endeavors in pushing the medium forward, and her new stage play, Queens Of The Policy, of which she is a writer and producer.
N’DIGO: In your own words, who is Jimalita Tillman?
Jimalita Tilman: Jimalita is a fun-loving mother who enjoys everything about the performing arts. She enjoys contributing to and advocating legislation positively affecting all art forms. She loves to study the history of our people and bring it to life for any size audience. Jimalita also loves Jesus and is a proud Liberty Baptist Church of Chicago member.
As a child, what did you dream your occupation would be?
A Broadway Producer! I’ve always known I wanted to put on shows and watch the magic come to life.
What are some of the early lessons you learned about life while growing up as the daughter of iconic former alderman Dorothy Tillman?
You must show people grace because you never know what they are going through. To be a leader in any field, be it politics or theater, you must consider what’s right for the people you serve before yourself.
How did you find your way to the world of theater?
Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve been fascinated with the workings behind the scenes. I began at North Shore Country Day School and went on to ETA theater. My formal training was from DePaul University, where I completed my undergraduate studies in theater management and earned an MFA in directing.
Please tell us about the stageplay Queens Of The Policy you’ve written and produced.
Set in the late 1940s, Queens of the Policy tells the story of four women in Chicago striving to carve out their own niche in the male-dominated world of policy — a predecessor of today’s American lottery system. Many of these women were responsible for funding hospitals, universities, and other causes championed by black people.
It’s playing at the historic Harold Washington Cultural Center, of which you are the Global Director of Programs and Operations. What are some of the duties of your position?
My responsibilities include ensuring that risk management and emergency preparedness systems are in place as we return to live productions while creating opportunities for community partnerships in arts and education. Finally, I’m committed to working with our leadership team to curate corporate relationships, naming rights, and other efforts to fund the long-term sustainability of HWCC and programs.
And can you shine a light on Broadway In Bronzeville and your role as Executive Producer?
Broadway in Bronzeville is a community-based performing arts program serving the mantra: “Off the streets, on the stage.” Regardless of your performing level, we pour into the technique to take you to the next level. Broadway in Bronzeville has provided opportunities for students to attend the Tony Awards in New York City each year since 2013. As executive producer, I am responsible for fundraising for the shows, maximizing the budget, and pursuing global expansion of shows and curriculum.
Every parent likes to brag about their child, right? You’re the daughter of an exceptional woman. You are an exceptional woman yourself, and you have quite an exceptional daughter; please share a little about your daughter, Dorothy Jean Tillman II.
Dorothy Jean is the best human I know. She is generous to her friends, is disciplined in all her tasks, she loves to dance, and can cook like an old southern lady. She has a variety of interests to find balance at age 16 as she pursues her doctoral studies in Integrated Behavioral Health.
What self-care ritual helps you balance everything, including motherhood, business, and life in general?
I love to play chess, free writing, travel, and sound baths. Sound baths are ancient African chimes and tones presented while meditative resting.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I am a “rapper” named Midnite Eclipse, with ghostwriting credits on hits by some of today’s top R&B and Hip Hop artists.
Best advice to young people?
Work together with the generations before you to understand how to navigate the journey ahead of you.
Favorite quote or affirmation?
Theater makes you great because there are no second takes. All the world’s a stage; produce a body of work that leaves a legacy of excellence.
What’s next for Jimalita Tillman?
Future projects include an August Wilson series, an HWCC writers lab to cultivate more women playwrights, and continuing to advocate for live performance venues.
Queens Of The Policy runs through December 16th at the Harold Washington Cultural Center at 4701 S. King Dr. in Chicago’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood. For more information, please visit.www.broadwayinbronzeville.com
