A Bold New Chapter

WITH PLOWSHARES THEATRE COMPANY

Strategic planning for sustainable, creative leadership.

Plowshares Theatre Company is Detroit’s only professional African American theatre, committed to telling stories that affirm the legacy and lived experiences of Black communities. In 2022, the organization reached an inflection point as it prepared to begin planning for leadership transition, deepen its impact with younger audiences, and secure a permanent space to call home. With early strategic goals already in place, Plowshares partnered with The Work Department to guide a planning process that would bring those priorities into action.

Over three months, we facilitated a series of workshops with board members and leadership to co-create a shared vision for the future and develop an actionable roadmap. We began by grounding our sessions in a 2030 vision that named what kinds of stories the company would tell, who it would reach, and how it would grow. We explored the organizational shifts needed to get there, including board engagement, youth development, and succession planning. Along the way, we supported strategic thinking around a $10 million fundraising effort grounded in Harambee—a philosophy of collective responsibility and mutual support.

The resulting roadmap builds on foundational work Plowshares undertook with Nonprofit Enterprise at Work and insights from its Council of Dianas, an advisory group of civically engaged Black women who reflect the theatre’s core audience. Designed as a working tool, the roadmap helps the team align on priorities, track progress, and lead with purpose.

The roadmap organizes goals and tasks across six action areas:

  1. Activate the Board – Build a collaborative, skilled, and accountable board that works in partnership with staff and reflects the mission of the theater.

  2. Plan for Succession – Prepare the next generation of leadership through intentional hiring, mentoring, and transition planning for key roles.

  3. Engage Youth – Create pathways for young people to lead, participate, and grow with the organization through programming and advisory roles.

  4. Develop Organizational Culture – Foster an inclusive, supportive culture that aligns with Plowshares’ values and strengthens staff development and retention.

  5. Ensure Organizational Sustainability – Grow financial capacity, establish a permanent home, and implement fundraising strategies to support long-term operations.

  6. Discomfort the Comfortable – Expand Plowshares’ artistic work to challenge norms, center liberation, and deepen community dialogue through bold storytelling.

The Work Department’s process helped Plowshares move from vision to implementation, strengthening the foundation for a future rooted in artistic excellence, cultural legacy, and lasting community impact.