Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) & Anti-Racism

The Cultural Coalition hosts an on-going series of events, trainings and conversations with and for professionals and community leaders engaged in the work of redesigning policies and operations from a diverse, equitable, inclusive and anti-racist lens.

The series goal is to increase representation, access, and opportunities for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community members within the arts and cultural industry in our region – among leadership, boards, staff, volunteers and audiences served – through educational activities, collaboration, and networking activities.

Most Recent Event:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100 Tickets Available – SOLD OUT 
Purchasers will receive a zoom link via email that will be sent separately in advance of event.

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PREVIOUS EVENT

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Anti-racism: Answering the Call to Action
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020   3-4pm via Zoom

Event Follow Up:

Speaker Info & Links:
Adriane Jefferson, Director of Cultural Affairs, City of New Haven – The Arts for Anti Racism
Lisa Scails, Executive Director, Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut – Walk In Their Shoes
Rachael Gavin, CEO, PR(iSM) Resistance Coalition
Kolton Harris, Program Associate, CT Office of the Arts

Next steps based on attendees feedback through interactive polling:

  • We will provide a framework with a combination of activities for the next year (provided by our org, other community orgs, or in partnership with community orgs) to help you continue this work, including: pledge, online resources, opportunities for dialogues/conversations, training/workshop
  • The training/workshop tentatively scheduled for January will focus on Undoing Structural Racism (for organizations) Resources & Suggestions

Some suggestions for next steps and action items (between now and the training in early 2021):

READ, SHARE & DISCUSS
Educate yourself, your board, and staff with suggested reading recommendations and discuss together. This work requires both a personal and professional commitment. You cannot do this work with and for your organization without personally doing the work yourself.  Arts for Anti-Racism Together New Haven webpage with links (see Resources section).   Scroll down for more.

POLICY & PRACTICE REVIEW
Inventory and identify the policies and practices that your organization has in place (make a list) so that you can begin to review with a lens of DEI/AR.

JOB HIRING
If your organization has hiring practices, consider the “Rooney Rule” and its pros and cons.

PLACES & SPACES
If you own or operate a public space, consider the physical (and even virtual) environment centered on a BIPOC perspective – is it welcoming, is it appealing, is it culturally relevant, does it contain or display items/art/images that may be uncomfortable or have negative impact on BIPOC visitors, etc.

BOARD RECRUITMENT HIATUS
If your organization is spending time tossing around names of “diverse” potential board members and recruiting based on how they can help your organization, stop. Just stop. Consider a hiatus of bringing on new board members, and instead, focus on preparing the board room (is your board on board with DEI/AR, are there changes to make before bringing on new board members, etc.). In addition, focus on building relationships, doing outreach, and listening to the needs, desires and goals of BIPOC organizations, leaders and community members. How is your organization helping to meet those needs? How can you build together?

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Anti-Racism Resources
Beginning in fall 2020, the Cultural Coalition has planned a series of events, trainings and conversations with and for professionals and community leaders engaged in the work of redesigning policies and operations from a diverse, equitable, inclusive and anti-racist lens.

The series goal is to increase representation, access, and opportunities for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community members within the arts and cultural industry in our region – among leadership, boards, staff, volunteers and audiences served – through educational activities, collaboration, and networking activities.

Racial Equity Tool Glossary (2019)

The Arts For Anti-Racism (New Haven)

Americans for the Arts Cultural Equity Tools and Templates

Racial Justice, Racial Equity and Anti-Racism Reading List  (Harvard Kennedy School)

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Board Diversity Initiative
In 2019, the Cultural Coalition was one of four organizations in New London County that participated in the second cohort of the Board Diversity Initiative, Minority Inclusion Project Incorporated’s main program.

Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition DEI Action Plan Report FINAL

For more on the Cultural Coalition’s Commitment to DEI


Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
In 2018, the Cultural Coalition and the Community Foundation of Eastern CT,  partnered to present two Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Workshops facilitated by Jamal Jimerson of Minority Inclusion Project.  This page provides information about those workshops and materials, links and contact information for your organization to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in your organization and in the region.

Minority Inclusion Project (MIP), Founder/Executive Director Jamal Jimerson

Workshop Handouts from MIP

Workshop Homework from MIP

Workshop Handouts from MIP


ADDITIONAL DEI Resources

Courtesy of MIP

Community Foundation of Eastern CT

Other Resources

News Articles of Interest