Playwright Jesse L. Kearney, Jr. underwent emergency brain surgery after suffering a sudden brain bleed January 8. As Kearney recovers, his loved ones have launched a GoFundMe to help with medical expenses, rehabilitative care, and support for his family. 

Kearney is an award-winning playwright whose works include Making Michaeux, The Oscar Micheaux Project, The Little Playhouse, and more. Kearney is a recipient of the Dramatists Guild's Jonathan Larson Musical Theater Fellowship and the Lazarus Family Musical Theater Award, among other honors. 

“In moments like these, I think of how bright one soul can shine and pierce the hearts of so many people," Jacquelyn Bell Kearney, Kearney's wife and co-founder of Broadway Advocacy Coalition, said in a statement. "Jesse’s light grows stronger every day.”

"The Prospect community is coming together to support Jesse and his family in this challenging time," added Cara Reichel, Artistic Director of Prospect Musicals. "For over 20 years, he has been a core member of Prospect as both an artist and a board leader. He is a book writer and lyricist on The Oscar Micheaux Project, an impactful and award-winning new musical about America's first major Black filmmaker that has received grants from the NEA, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, and the Pipeline Arts Foundation's inaugural Michael Friedman Award. We look forward to continuing to encourage Jesse's creative voice and vision and being part of his recovery team.

“Since joining the board of Black Broadway Men United, Inc. back in 2021 as Vice President, Jesse Kearney is the integral backbone of the foundation and continues to bring his legal and structural expertise to the forefront," Anthony Wayne, President of Black Broadway Men, said in a statement. "He is consistently rooted in the mission of celebrating, educating and motivating Black men of the Broadway and theatre community. His support for the mission has inspired monumental events and paved the way for mentees to come. “

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