FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — What was once a blighted building and dumping ground is now sparking hope and opportunity. The Edison Cultural Arts Center has become a driving force for business, education, and entertainment thanks to the visionary leadership of Charity Edison Carter and Troy Carter.
Inside the state-of-the-art facility, sisters Nohe’lani and Phoenix Cramer take dance lessons in a new, state-of-the-art studio.
“It’s a great advantage because it leads to more possibilities of going further in my professional career,” Nohe’lani said.
“I do want to do visual and performing arts, so I do think that will come with more practice and learning how to perform and get more opportunities,” Phoenix said.
The Edison Center’s impact stretches beyond its stage. Carter saw more than an empty Kroger shopping center and saw potential.
“We took an old shopping center, an eyesore for a community, and made it an asset. It will be an example for others to follow when it comes to turning our communities around,” Carter shared.
The center is the first Black-owned fine arts facility. Its historic nature will soon be marked by a statue of Lauren Anderson, the first Black principal dancer for a major company, The Houston Ballet. Anderson’s achievements continue to inspire young dancers, including the Cramers.
“She is a wonderful dancer. I watch her clips a lot, like, ‘Wow, she’s a gorgeous dancer,'” Nohe’lani said.
Carter’s ambitious vision includes Black-owned restaurants and small businesses, creating a “town center” where people can enjoy shows, entertainment, and shopping, all while honoring community needs. The project, now supported by private and public partners, is rapidly becoming a campus of hope.
Ultimately, Carter said she sees the center as a place where children can imagine themselves as chefs, business owners, theater directors, and artists.
“We want to make sure our kids see themselves in every aspect of this space and this center,” Carter said.
While fundraising for the Edison Cultural Arts Center continues, Carter expects the full campus to open to the public as soon as this fall, ushering in a new era for Fort Bend Houston and its next generation of trailblazers.
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