Born and raised in Harlem, Voza’s career embodies what it means to be a community leader and promoter of arts and culture, both locally and globally.

Rivers is a leading theater, music, and events producer and documentary filmmaker as well as executive producer.

In 1983 upon Furman's death, Voza Rivers, a co-founding member of NHTG (1964) and award-winning music and theatre producer, took over the company and reorganized under the name New Heritage Theatre Group (NHTG). Rivers is an accomplished theatre, music, film and, events producer and is recognized as one of the country's leading African American theatre producers. Since 1983, under the leadership of Voza Rivers, NHTG presents entertaining, informative theatrical productions, staged readings and, documentary shorts and films, the mission was expanded to provide training, experience, and international exposure to veteran and emerging artists. NHTG, founded by the late Roger Furman, is the oldest Black nonprofit theater company in New York City.

Through its multiple divisions: IMPACT Repertory Theatre, The Roger Furman Reading Series, and New Heritage Films, New Heritage gives training, exposure, and experience to new and emerging artists, playwrights, directors and technicians of color. 

Rivers has produced and co-produced theater, music, and television projects, film festivals, and music tributes in the United States, Japan, South Africa, and the UK. He is also co-founder of IMPACT Repertory Theatre, the youth and music division of the New Heritage Theatre Group.

In addition, he is the co-founder and chairman of the Harlem Arts Alliance, an arts services membership organization established in 2001.

Rivers forged many alliances and partnerships, including his two decades of work with Community Works NYC, which merged with NHTG.  Other partnerships include IMPACT Repertory Theatre, the youth division of New Heritage Theatre Group, established in 1997 by Jamal Joseph, a U.S. writer, director, producer, poet, activist, and educator. Since its founding, IMPACT featured over 1000 youth between the ages of 12 and 19 with original staged performances in front of live audiences totaling over 100,000.

New Heritage Films & Harlemwood Film Festival explores issues of the African diaspora through film. Annually, New Heritage Films features documentaries and films in the Harlem community from emerging and established filmmakers through the Harlemwood Film Festival.

International Programming

New Heritage Theatre Group and Harlem Arts Alliance encourage collaboration with many arts and culture organizations based in Harlem and surrounding communities.