Jackie Taylor, founder and CEO of Chicago's Black Ensemble Theater, provided the keynote address at USITT's 59th Annual Conference & Stage Expo. Born and raised in Chicago, Taylor rose from her modest roots to found, in 1976, the empire that has become the Black Ensemble Theater. The theatre is committed to eradicating racism and is recognized throughout the nation for its outstanding original productions and exceptional educational outreach programs. She discussed this journey in her March 2019 keynote address in Louisville. To hear the speech, please visit: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=euLZQLUErf4 18 | THEATRE DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY | SUMMER 2019https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euLZQLUErf4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euLZQLUErf4