Welcome to 52 Faces<\/strong><\/p>\n 52 Faces of Community<\/a> is a Fort Worth Report weekly series spotlighting local unsung heroes. It is sponsored by Central Market<\/a>, H-E-B<\/a> and JPS Health Network<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the end of the year, these rarely recognized heroes will gather for a luncheon where the Report will announce one honoree to represent Tarrant County at the Jefferson Awards in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n Founded in 2001, the organization offers after-school theater, dance, music and writing classes at Handley Meadowbrook and Como community centers. 619 Productions also offers end-of-school year presentations and a musical production for a select group of children who audition.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMy love has always been community,\u201d Grace said. \u201cIt\u2019s important not just for the kids, but the adults to have an outlet. Some are still carrying burdens, because they never got to do their artistic stuff.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Exactly what your weekend needs<\/p>\n Find out what’s “Weekend Worthy” with our arts & culture newsletter. Sign up for essential Fort Worth-area events and news \u2014 free.<\/p>\n Her dedication to the arts earned her recognition in 52 Faces of Community<\/a>, the Fort Worth Report\u2019s weekly series spotlighting unsung heroes in Tarrant County.<\/p>\n Grace\u2019s love of the arts has been embedded in her since birth. Her father, who was born in Harlem and played the conga drums, created a \u201cstrong love\u201d for music in the household, she said. Grace was later exposed to writing poetry and acting through her drama teacher Mary Porter at Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Middle School in south Fort Worth.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMy teacher was the spark that lit the match,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Grace has worked as a professional artist for over three decades, starring in commercials, shorts films and stage productions. She\u2019s also recorded music and coordinated TV productions for major networks in Los Angeles.\u00a0<\/p>\n Her involvement with the arts in Fort Worth only grew after experiencing the deaths of nine family and friends over the span of three years in the late 1990s. She turned her grief into positivity by sharing her passion for the arts with communities that had limited access to creative programming \u2014 the same love Porter instilled in her.<\/p>\n 619 Productions has served over 10,000 students in Handley and Como since its launch, Grace said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of my students have gone on to do great things and we helped a lot,\u201d she said. \u201cSome of them come because this is their joy, this is their comfort.\u201d<\/p>\n Know an unsung hero in Tarrant County?<\/p>\n Tell us about them by filling out the form below. <\/p>\n One of those students was Samille Kotei, who was introduced to the organization while she was captain of the drill team at Dunbar High School in the late 2000s. Grace was looking for dancers for a stage production and Kotei jumped on the opportunity.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kotei learned how to grow her craft and perform with confidence through Grace\u2019s mentorship, she said, something she carries with her now as an actress and singer living in Atlanta. Kotei\u2019s love for the arts also elevated her to board president of 619 Productions, making her the only program alumna to lead within the organization.<\/p>\n \u201cMs. Cinetrea is a very hands-on, reality driven person. She\u2019s motivating, uplifting and pulls out the best in anybody. Even a person who never had any art experience would come out, and you would think they have been performing their entire lives.\u201d<\/p>\n Samille Kotei, 619 Productions board president<\/p><\/blockquote>\n As Grace continues to bring the arts to Fort Worthians where they need it, she has her heart set on opening her own large-scale performing arts complex one day. She\u2019s not sure on a location, but she always strives to ensure she has \u201ctears of creativity\u201d constantly flowing.\u00a0<\/p>\n Because in her mind, a true artist never stops soaring to new heights.<\/p>\n David Moreno is the arts and culture reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org<\/a> or @davidmreports<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc4b What is local news worth to you?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Important decisions are made in our community every day. Your support ensures the Fort Worth Report can cover and share those stories \u2014 freely and independently.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n![\"52](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761511332_920_52-faces-transparent-2.png\"){kind=spacer}
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Cinetrea Grace, center, poses with performers of \u201cTimmy\u2019s Dance: The Musical\u201d at I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA in late July. (Courtesy photo | Cinetrea Grace)<\/p>\n\n
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Cinetrea Grace in the lobby of her organization\u2019s office space in east Fort Worth on Oct. 13, 2025. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
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