Langston Hughes’ “Black Nativity,” produced by the National Center of Afro-American Artists in Roxbury, returns for its 55th season next month. Blending gospel, jazz and African rhythms to showcase the nativity story through a diasporic lens, “Black Nativity” has been a cornerstone of Boston’s cultural community for more than half a century.

Boston’s “Black Nativity” uses Hughes’ story with unique musical arrangements and an adaptation set by John Andrew Ross and original choreography by George Howard. The first production was directed by NCAAA founder and artistic director Elma Lewis. The performance continues to carry her spirit.

Kaleisha Nance, a dance teacher at Phineas Bates Elementary School in Roslindale, has been playing the role of Mary for the last 10 years. For Nance, as well as for many others, “Black Nativity” is a family affair. Her eldest daughter played the role of baby Jesus in 2018. Last year Nance was pregnant, which gave her a whole new connection to the role. This year, that infant will play baby Jesus.

“It really put me into character,” said Nance. “I didn’t have to prepare as much mentally because I was already there, bringing new life, protecting new life and dancing through it.”

Nance is also participating in the production end of the show for the first time, looking to deepen her connection to Elma Lewis’ legacy and the Boston cultural scene.

“I went to Boston Arts Academy,” she said. The school’s new building was named after Elma Lewis in 2023. “It’s a full-circle moment for me to study and understand the full aspect of the arts, not just looking at ‘Black Nativity’ from the dance line.”

Akiba Abaka was recently appointed interim executive director of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, succeeding longtime director Barry Gaither. The annual production of “Black Nativity” is now under her purview.

Abaka recalls seeing the show initially in her 20s. “I remember seeing it for the first time and thinking, wow, something like this exists in Boston,” she said. “I was in awe.”

Almost four generations are represented on stage, said Abaka. From the baby Jesus, played every year by an actual infant, to actors like Vivian Cooley Collier, an original cast member who has been performing for 54 years and whose son was the very first baby Jesus in the show.

One of the powers of this production is that it’s made up of both professional performers and committed community members. That mix allows audiences to enjoy powerful vocals and music and to see their friends and neighbors on stage.

In addition to honoring the holiday season and the Black community of Boston, Abaka hopes the production instills pride in Bostonians.

“We are the longest running consecutive staging of ‘Black Nativity’ in the world and many of the Black Nativities around the country were inspired by our production,” Akaba said. “When people come to see Boston’s ‘Black Nativity,’ it should feel like the hometown game. We should feel as proud of our ‘Black Nativity’ as we feel as proud of our Celtics and our Patriots and our Red Sox.”

ON THE WEB

Learn more at ncaaa.org/blacknativity