Harlem Heritage Tours and the Cultural Harlem Blog salute the life and times of the late Ms. Grace L. Jones, former President of the Audelco Awards, founded in 1973 by the late Ms. Vivian Robinson. The Audelco Awards were established to recognize excellence in the Black theater, both on and off Broadway.

Ms. Grace had a passion for the performing arts, which was witnessed by her life. In 1964 she co-founded The Double Image Theatre, Inc., a professional training school and theater production company located in John Jay College. For three decades she was involved in cable television as a producer, executive director and host of “Growing With Grace: African Americans on the Move,” on Time Warner Cable. Each week, Ms. Grace informed New Yorkers about important events with a special eye on important African-American movers and shakers. “Growing With Grace” brought vital educational, political and cultural programming to the Black community. Ms. Grace also had a public relations company, A Touch of Grace & Associates (We Put You in the Spotlight). The company managed and produced off-Broadway and off-off- Broadway productions, including The African Arts Theatre Company, Reviere’s Musical Productions, Fox Comedy Hour, Unlimited Women, Inc., a production of “Agnes of God” on Theatre Row, GALES’ ’60-’70 Youth Revue, Audience Development Committee (AUDELCO) and numerous others. Ms. Grace founded Theatre for the Future: Youth Series— “Our Gifts for Tomorrow.” Touched by Grace Productions directed youth workshops for inner city youth ages 10 to 17. Ms. Grace was also a founding member of the Harlem Arts Alliance.

Like her predecessor, the late Vivian Robinson, Ms. Jones worked diligently to stimulate interest in and support of performing arts in black communities.

A memorial service will be held in her honor on October 13th, 2018 at the Abyssinian Baptist Church.

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