Kareem of the Crop?

Playgoer says he doesn't know who Kareem Dale, the president's new arts & culture honcho, is, but a little digging turned up this, from Jodi Shoenbrun Carter:

Very active in community work and affairs, Dale served as chairman of the board of directors at Black Ensemble Theater for three and one-half years, and prior to that, served in various other roles at the theater, such as secretary and vice president. Under his direction as chairman, Black Ensemble secured a $6 million TIF from the City of Chicago to purchase the theater's current building, located at 4440 N. Clark. Also under his chairman leadership, the theater began its $20 million capital campaign.

Dale also served on Obama's arts policy committee.