My Journey as the New Director of the Black Cat Cultural Center
Guest post with Shelby Trey Pickett
Come celebrate with Trey
Sunday 9/1 @4pm 3701 Carlisle NE
After years of dreaming, working, and quietly nurturing my passions, the moment has arrived. I am beyond thrilled to announce that I, Eugene—though many of you know me as Trey—Pickett, am now the Director of the Black Cat Cultural Center. This is not just a role or a title for me; it is a realization of a vision I've held close to my heart for as long as I can remember.
The Black Cat Cultural Center is more than a building with walls; it is a haven, a sanctuary for the outliers, the marginalized, and those of us who are simply created differently by design. It is a space where who we are can be fully and proudly expressed—a place where our differences are not just acknowledged but celebrated. This space exists to serve a greater purpose: to provide safety, support, and a sense of belonging for everyone who walks through its doors.
Stepping into this role, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for this incredible opportunity. But with this gratitude comes a deep understanding of the responsibility that lies ahead. I am committed to doing my very best to lead with integrity, compassion, and a fierce dedication to our community. Yet, as with all great endeavors, I cannot do this alone.
In the quiet of these past months, I have been diligently preparing our spaces—each step infused with intention and care. But now, it is time to break that silence. It is time to share the movement that is vibrating within me, within the walls of this center, and within the hearts of all who believe in our mission.
To continue this work, we need support—your support. Finances and resources are the lifeblood of making magic happen, and I am reaching out to you, my community, to help us keep this dream alive. If my words, my work, or the mission of the Black Cat Cultural Center resonates with you, I humbly ask that you consider contributing in any way you can. Every bit helps, and together, we can create something truly extraordinary.
As part of this journey, I am excited to share my latest dance piece, "By Design." This work is deeply personal and is a reflection of my own experiences and the collective wisdom of our community. Inspired by Maya Angelou's powerful poem "Still I Rise," "By Design" is a testament to resilience, connection, and the idea that we are all, by design, meant to rise and thrive together.
The piece is a solo performance that takes you through stages of emotion—culminating in a powerful expression of brotherhood and human connection. It is a reminder that while life can be lived in solitude, we are truly designed to lift each other up, to rise as one.
Asking for help is not something that comes easily to me, but I have come to realize that vulnerability is a superpower. By leaning into it, I am opening the door to growth, connection, and the possibility of something greater than myself. This journey, this role, this work—it is all, without a doubt, "By Design."
I invite you to join me on this journey. Let us rise together, let us create together, and let us ensure that the Black Cat Cultural Center continues to be a beacon of hope, creativity, and connection for all who need it. Your support—whether it be financial, emotional, or simply in spirit—means the world to me and to everyone who calls this center home.
To make a donation use the link below and choose "Give to Black Cat Theater Fundraiser" ABQ CSL is thrilled to match donations up to $1000.00 dollars
Thank you for believing in me, in our community, and in the power of what we can accomplish together.
With gratitude and hope,
Trey Pickett
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