Barbara Ann Teer was a pioneering Black playwright, actress, and theater director who made significant contributions to Black theater in America. She is perhaps best known for founding the National Black Theatre in Harlem, New York City in 1968. The National Black Theatre was the first revenue-generating Black theater in the United States.

Teer's vision was to create a space where Black artists could tell their own stories and showcase the richness and diversity of Black culture. The theater became a hub for African American artists and intellectuals, and it provided a platform for experimental and innovative works that explored themes of Black identity, pride, and empowerment.

Through her work at the National Black Theatre, Barbara Ann Teer played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of Black theater and providing opportunities for Black artists to thrive. Her legacy continues to inspire and influence generations of Black artists and theater-makers.