CHICAGO, IL – October 20, 2025 – The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame today announced that Jackie Taylor, a towering figure in American theater and literature, is the recipient of the 2025 Fuller Award. This prestigious honor recognizes her lifetime achievements as a prolific playwright, poet, screenwriter, producer, and educator, celebrating her profound and enduring contributions to the literary and cultural landscape of Chicago.
A ceremony to honor Taylor will be held this evening, October 20, 2025, at her beloved Black Ensemble Theater (BET), located at 4450 N. Clark Street. The award celebrates a career marked by artistic excellence, unwavering commitment to social justice, and a deep dedication to amplifying Black voices.
A Visionary Force in Chicago Theater
Born in Chicago in 1951 and raised in the city’s challenging Cabrini-Green housing project, Jackie Taylor’s journey is a testament to resilience and vision. Disenchanted by the stereotypical and often negative portrayals of Black individuals in Hollywood and theater, Taylor returned to her native Chicago with a singular mission: to create stories that reflected the complexity and richness of Black life, particularly for Black women. In 1976, she founded the Black Ensemble Theater (BET) with the explicit goal of “eradicating racism and its damaging effects on our society through the utilization of theater arts and community engagement”.
Over nearly five decades, BET has grown from a small, community-based organization into a nationally and internationally renowned institution. Taylor has authored more than 100 plays and musical biographies, penned thousands of poems, and written screenplays, establishing herself as one of the most prolific artists in the country. Her work consistently aims to bridge racial and cultural divides, fostering dialogue, understanding, and healing.
The Significance of the Fuller Award
The Fuller Award, presented annually by the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, honors a Chicago-based author who has made an outstanding lifetime contribution to literature. Inspired by the early 20th-century novelist Henry Blake Fuller, whose works often depicted the rapidly evolving city of Chicago, the award recognizes writers who have shaped literary discourse and enriched the cultural fabric of the city and beyond. Past recipients include renowned authors such as Alex Kotlowitz and Patricia Smith, underscoring the caliber of literary giants acknowledged by this honor.
Taylor’s selection as the 2025 recipient highlights her significant impact not only as a storyteller but as a cultural architect. Her ability to blend compelling narratives with commercial success – a principle she firmly advocates for – has allowed BET to thrive and expand, most recently with initiatives like the “Free To Be” village aimed at providing affordable artist housing and educational programs. This approach ensures that her artistic and social mission can sustain itself and continue to grow.
A Legacy of Storytelling and Social Change
Taylor’s extensive body of work includes acclaimed musical biographies on figures like Muddy Waters, Marvin Gaye, and Etta James, alongside original plays that tackle critical social issues. Her commitment to artistic integrity is unwavering; she famously refused roles that demeaned Black people, a principle that became central to BET’s ethos. Beyond her creative output, Taylor has been a dedicated educator, influencing students from kindergarten through university levels.
Her influence extends into the broader Chicago arts scene. She has served as president of the African American Arts Alliance and has been recognized with numerous accolades, including a Special Jeff Award and a League of Chicago Theater Lifetime Achievement Award. The City of Chicago even named a street in her honor, Jackie Taylor Street, reflecting her deep roots and indelible mark on the city. While the world of theater and literature celebrates her achievements, Chicago’s vibrant cultural scene, which encompasses diverse artistic expressions including its own unique approach to visual aesthetics and style, continues to be enriched by her dedication.
The awarding of the 2025 Fuller Award to Jackie Taylor is a recognition of a lifetime spent crafting powerful narratives, challenging injustice, and building a cultural institution that stands as a beacon of hope and representation. Her work ensures that stories of Black experience are told with depth, authenticity, and power, cementing her legacy as a pivotal figure in American literature and theater.
