"Let's get her home with a great send off!!"

The call went out to the community for three hundred drummers to honor and clear the way for High Chief Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, the founder of the National Black Theater, who died on Monday, July 21, 2008.

The funeral celebration took place over two days. Dr. Teer's body lay in state at the National Black Theater (2031 5th Ave in Harlem, New York) on Sunday, July 27, 2008, surrounded by mourners and the drummers she loved. Then on Monday, July 29, 2008, Dr. Teer's drumming escort accompanied her funeral carriage from the National Black Theater to Riverside Church at 490 Riverside Drive for a 3PM service. Then on Monday night, there was a fireworks display by the Grucci Family above the Hudson River near Riverside Church. For all of these ceremonial occasions, Dr. Teer's family request that the mourners/life celebrants wear white and purple in honor of Dr. Teer.

New York Cool photographer Angelo Rivera was on hand for the life celebration and he took these photographs. Rest in Peace to a woman who will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.

Click here for Dr. Teer's obituary in the New York Times.