Neighbors weigh in as Forest Forward shares updates on Forest Theater, MLK Arts Academy

Forest Forward recently welcomed neighbors to its new headquarters — the former liquor store across from the theater on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, which the South Dallas nonprofit purchased in 2022. The community meeting was designed for residents, rather than media or city officials, so that organizers could share updates on the restoration of the historic Forest Theater and the expansion of Martin Luther King Jr. Arts Academy, introduce Nijeul X as the organization’s new artistic director, and invite community feedback.

Elizabeth Wattley, president and CEO of Forest Forward, shared that most of Forest Forward’s work so far has been in fundraising efforts. The organization announced a $75 million goal in November 2021 and has raised $35 million to date, including $8 million from the City of Dallas and $4 million from in Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding. 

Plans for Forest Theater include a 1,000 seat concert-hall –– but Wattley emphasized it will not be limited to live performances. They are sourcing high-quality equipment to be able to host screenings and welcome film festivals as well, she says. The layout also will include a rooftop space overlooking downtown with a 13,000-square-foot café and a 25,000-square-foot outdoor plaza.

When asked about partnerships with local nonprofits and small businesses, Elizabeth confirmed that there will be opportunities to benefit.

“We want to work with the community,” Wattley says. “Everything from catering to balloons, we want to work together and support businesses in the neighborhood.” She noted that so far, nearly $19 million in contracts have gone to Black-owned firms, with 78 percent of the theater project awarded to minority- and women-owned businesses. 

Nearby, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Arts Academy also is undergoing a $20 million bond-funded expansion that will add 25,000 square feet of new classrooms and arts spaces, including four science labs, a piano lab and a new 2,000-square-foot dance studio.

“Out of the 1,100 students at Booker T., less than 1 percent came from this zip code. That’s not about talent, it’s about access and opportunity,” Wattley explains. “This partnership was formed to bring a high quality facility to the neighborhood. MLK Arts is the only school that goes pre-K–8 with an arts focus in Dallas ISD.”

Community members asked questions about how Forest Forward would prevent displacement as this multi-million dollar investment drives up the Forest Theater’s property values and, inevitably, the land around it. Ashley Wilson, executive vice president at Forest Forward, said they have a “basic needs program for those looking for eviction programs, rental and utility assistance to families in the MLK Academy,” and they are working to extend this assistance to all South Dallas families. 

Nijeul X, Forest Forward’s new artistic director, concluded the community meeting by sharing their vision of building a cultural hub that centers art, wellness, civic organizing and small business growth.

Forest Forward plans to host quarterly community meetings about the theater, the school and surrounding land that is being considered for affordable housing units. “Now that we’ve had the opportunity to grow and own that land, we want to make sure that [housing] is within community vision,” Wattley says. “We still need to have feedback, host conversations, and do master planning. Our main goal is to open the theater next year and get it running.” 

Organizers emphasized that community input — on everything from curtain colors to programming — will guide next steps before any contracts are finalized. Forest Forward is planning to share results from the most recent meeting on social media and through email updates. Wattley also encourages neighbors fill out this survey for feedback related to the “For the Culture sculpture” and to reach out and connect directly.