The Barbara Morrison Legacy

Timothy Morganfield was Barbara’s longtime partner and friend. He played roles from stage, to production, to general manager of her Performing Arts Center and the California Jazz and Blues Museum, to partnering with her on many projects. 

Morganfield noted the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center has the backing from the Department of Cultural Affairs, the City of Los Angeles, UCLA, Community Build Inc. and its director Robert Saucedo, (which sits next door to BMPAC), her friends and many people in the community. 

“We will keep the theater open in her name,” said Morganfield. “The museum will be reopening soon and we will honor Barbara throughout the year with festivals, including naming a festival after her. Morganfield said LA Councilmember Herb Wesson just made a motion, April 4, to name the corner of 43rd St. and Degnan, Barbara Morrison Square.

David Ross, financial planner at Ross Financial Group stated through email, “while Barbara was hoping to recover, she needed help covering her bills while she couldn’t perform. The GoFundMe was set up.”

With the sad turn of events, funds were subsequently directed toward Barbara’s funeral costs and settling her estate, a process that is still ongoing. 

Ross noted, the site was not designed to support either the center, or the museum. However, a group of Barbara’s supporters have gathered together to help determine how best to continue the work of both. The issues of their financial survival are challenging, but they also are important components of Barbara’s legacy.

Barbara’s supporters expect the process of settling her estate to allow them to shift their strategic focus to the BMPAC and museum.