Karamu House is kicking off a national hunt for its next president and CEO as longtime leader Tony F. Sias shifts into the role of artistic director. During the search, vice president and chief operating officer Aseelah Shareef will step in as interim president and CEO while a hired consultant steers the recruitment process for the historic Fairfax institution.
Leadership shift and search
The leadership change was announced on May 12, with board members opting to bring in an external search firm to cast a wide net for the theater’s next top executive. Cleveland.com reported that the board is treating the move as a planned transition and confirmed that Shareef will hold the reins until a permanent hire is made.
Sias' tenure and track record
Sias has served as Karamu’s president and CEO since 2015 and is credited on the theater’s own site with stabilizing finances and expanding programming during his run. Karamu House notes its long relationship with the organization, while Kent State University points to more than $14 million raised for restoration and renewal under its leadership. He also brings a substantial background as a director and performer, with an extensive list of regional production credits.
Campus rebuild and partnerships
The leadership shuffle follows a multi-year capital push that has reshaped Karamu’s campus. Community reporting has documented roughly $5.2 million in renovations to the theater wing, completed in 2024. The Cleveland Observer and other regional coverage framed the upgrades as part of a broader neighborhood revitalization. In 2024, Karamu also became the first affiliate company of Playhouse Square, a partnership that Playhouse Square described as a way to boost Karamu’s visibility while keeping performances rooted in Fairfax.
Season plans continue
Even with the executive search underway, the show is literally going on. Karamu has rolled out its 2026–27 season, highlighting productions of Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting, A Motown Christmas, Paul Robeson, and a fourth musical still to be announced. Karamu House presented the lineup as a way to keep audiences engaged and momentum strong while the organization fills its top job.
What leaders say and next steps
Board co-chair Michael Jeans said “we’ve completed all phases of our renovation,” calling the timing an opportunity to bring in leadership tailored to Karamu’s next phase of growth, according to Cleveland.com. The board has tasked its outside consultant with managing outreach and vetting candidates and has promised to share milestones and updates as the search progresses.
