The Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition is sad to announce that, in Los Angeles on Monday September 18 at age 90, Nick 'Lightnin' Stewart passed away. Mr. Stewart was a prominent actor, teacher, preservationist, cultural and community activist, the last surviving member of the famous Amos and Andy TV Show, and the voice of Brer Bear in Disney's "Song of the South". A complete filmography is available at <www.geocities.com/Hollywood/2587/filmography.htm#nick>.

He and his family are strong supporters for Maxwell Street preservation and have a letter for saving Maxwell Street at <www.openair.org/maxwell/nicks.html>. Maxwell Street Coalition Vice President and Roosevelt University Professor Steve Balkin says, "Mr. Stewart and his family has been fighting for several years against politicians, HUD, and the Community Redevelopment Agency to preserve their famous Ebony Showcase Theatre complex on Washington Boulevard in Los Angeles. We have given each other moral support in our similar fights for community and American cultural preservation. He is a gracious gentleman and one of my most favorite actors."

Founded in the 1950s, Nick and Edna Stewart poured their savings into this theater and culture arts complex to provide theatrical and cultural performance opportunities that would be open to everyone. People of all races were always welcome there. The Ebony Showcase Theatre and Cultural Arts Center became a non-profit organization and people such as Sammy Davis Jr., Etta James, and Eric Clapton performed there. For more information on this preservation issue and to view a picture of Mr. Stewart in 1950 with Alan Young, see <www.ebonyshowcase.org/rebuild.htm>. A more recent picture of Nick Stewart in front of the Ebony Theater is at <www.ebonyshowcase.org/ebony89.jpg>.

Chicago Bluesman Jimmie Lee Robinson says, "Mr. Lightnin and his family called me in March of 1999 on his 89th birthday. His daughter Valarie Stewart often calls me to talk about the similar problems we are having with Maxwell Street and that they are having in Los Angeles with trying to save their cultural center. He and his family have fought a great battle and are still fighting. When I talked to Nick he said 'he can't understand why the City of Chicago haven't came to support and save the old Maxwell St area. We are having the same problems here in Los Angeles. As long as I live, I will never never give up.'"

Robinson further comments, "I am very sorry to hear of his passing. He was a pioneer. We love him and will miss him."

A memorial service for Nick Stewart will be held Saturday, December 23 at the Agape Church of Religious Science, 5700 Buckingham Pkwy, Culver City, CA 90230, Ph: 310- 348-1250. In lieu of flowers, people are asked to send donations to Ebony Showcase Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, Inc., 1285 S. La Brea Avenue, Suite 203 Los Angeles, CA 90019; ph: 323-965-8837. For more information, you can contact his daughter Valarie Stewart at the address/phone just above or by email <talentscout@ebonyshowcase.org>.

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