PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A lover of the arts and often called “Keeper of Our Culture,” Carolyn Sims Nesmith is founder and CEO of CSN Productions in East Falls.
“The mission of CSN is to provide a platform for artists, and for just regular everyday people, to use the arts to enhance themselves,” she says.
She says she doesn’t just use the arts for entertainment, but also to reveal the human spirit and explore solutions to problems.
“I found that the arts is a good way to have people take an introspective look at themselves in situations. And whenever you go to a player production, you should leave their field enlightened. Something should be the result of that.”
Nesmith had an early start, forming the Freedom Choir of Philadelphia under the doctrines of Dr. Martin Luther King at the age of 18. She participated in the civil rights movement, singing and marching, to advance the progress of people of color. She sang at a demonstration to allow people of color to attend Girard College.
She is passionate about using the arts to teach history.
“I think everybody should know about Black history. And what has happened over the years, it's being swept under the rug. You cannot have American history without having a Black history. So what are you talking about?”
Carolyn says it’s important to give young creatives a safe space to express themselves artistically. During the creation of a regional musical production, she asked the young participants what was on their mind that they wanted to share with the world.
“The violence in this world today — gun violence definitely is a part of it. But this last one was called — this is very creative — it's called 'Disconnect from the drama and reconnect to love.' It took a whole new twist to talk about gun violence. It talked about the impact it had on the families that had to deal with it. It was amazing.”
At the age of 73, Carolyn shows no signs of stopping, and she remains passionate about fostering creativity through the arts.
“I feel, as long as I got this kind of energy, as long as I’m healthy, as long as I can do it, I'm gonna do it! I'm gonna do it," she says.
"I also believe that you never stop learning until you stop breathing. Hello? That's when you stop learning.”
During Black History Month, KYW Newsradio’s GameChangers honors individuals or organizations that have made a significant, positive impact in communities of color in the greater Philadelphia region. View the 2024 honorees here.