ST PAUL, Minn. — The Penumbra Center for Racial Healing announced Monday that President Sarah Bellamy will take a leave of absence as her family pursues a wrongful death lawsuit against the Hennepin County Jail in the death of her brother, Lucas.
Last week, the Bellamy family and their attorneys announced a federal lawsuit claiming Lucas died on the floor of a jail cell in 2022 from a treatable condition.
Award-winning director Lou Bellamy founded Penumbra Theatre as Minnesota’s first and only professional Black Theatre in 1976. The theatre’s mission evolved under the leadership of Lou Bellamy’s daughter, Sarah, to become Penumbra Center of Racial Healing. Lucas Bellamy was also actively involved as part of the theatre company.
“While Sarah has showed remarkable resiliency throughout this tough period, it is in alignment with our mission that we make space for her to rest and heal. We don’t want our brightest leaders to soldier on when they need to take a break,” Penumbra board member Jeannine Befidi said in a statement. “We need them resilient so that society can benefit from the best they have to offer.”
Lou Bellamy will continue to be involved in Penumbra’s next production. Penumbra COO Amy Thomas will serve as interim leader with Penumbra’s board.
“We are so fortunate to have such remarkable leaders here at Penumbra,” Melanie Douglas, Penumbra’s Board Chair said in a statement. “Their good stewardship of the organization is why we can make important, mission-critical decisions like this, and we look forward to Sarah’s return.”
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