Rebuild, Reconcile, Reimagine
This initiative is informed by letters released by We Are A.R.T./New York and We See You WAT, and Building Movement Project’s seminal research reports Race to Lead: Obstacles and Opportunities in Addressing the Nonprofit Racial Leadership Gap (2016) and Race to Lead Revisited (2019)–all of which address multiple inequities in the arts. Show your support and sign the letter.
Why Black Women?
Black women have shouldered and performed inordinate amounts of labor–emotional and otherwise–in service to the arts education field in New York City. Despite 10+ years of rhetorical dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion at large, Black women have been shut out of leadership positions (Race to Lead), and excluded from power shifts (Nonprofit Quarterly) that have occurred within the cultural sector. Under the umbrella term “BIPOC” (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), Black women are too often left “holding the handle” and kept in positions that require them to labor on behalf of others. In addition, there is a perceived “Black ceiling” that exists for Black women seeking Leadership roles.
Read more
Data provided by The Fed and the Brookings Institution demonstrates underrepresentation of Black people in leadership positions in the arts, and underrepresentation of women within senior leadership, when compared to the percentage of women working in arts and culture. In addition, data consistently shows pay disparities among both women and Black people in comparison to white male counterparts. Black women, at the intersection of both of these groups, earn less and receive fewer opportunities for advancement. Black women live and work at the intersection of the Racial Wealth Gap (Brookings), and the Gender Pay Gap (AAUW).
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, which overwhelmingly affected Black communities, PPP Loans were taken out by many nonprofits under the guise of keeping Black and POC workers employed, only to lay off those workers first (NPQ)–compromising lowest paid staff in order to save executive pay–when the PPP loans ran out.
Most recently, it has been widely reported that “women” accounted for 100% of job losses in December 2020; however, when fact-checked, it was revealed that Black women carried the brunt of job losses (PolitiFact), and white women actually made gains during that time. For these reasons, our list of demands intentionally centers around Black women.
Specifically, we ask organizations:
How are you supporting and cultivating the leadership of Black women?
Who We Are
We are a coalition of Black cultural workers, arts educators and administrators called together through Affinity Groups held by The New York City Arts in Education Roundtable that all know, support, and advocate for Black women teaching artists, administrators and executives in this field.
Read more
We demand that there be more intentionality behind power and cultural shifts in the arts, and that cultural organizations rethink their infrastructure, mission, and core values, and the degree to which they center and support Black women’s leadership.
We insist that predominantly white-led cultural institutions (PWIs) and mid-to larger-sized cultural institutions that may be BIPOC-led invest in Black women: their expertise, their cultural and intellectual capital, and improvements to their quality of life. Investments should include, but not be limited to, recruitment, fair compensation, mental health care, mentorship, career advancement, professional development, and equal opportunities.
Yes, We’re Talking to You
The list is directed to funders and senior leadership at PWI arts education and cultural institutions. It also applies to mid- to larger-sized cultural institutions that are BIPOC-led. The list was created in recognition of and in response to the shared lived experiences of people participating in the NYCAIE Roundtable Black Affinity Group.
Read more
In order to address the inequities experienced by Black women, institutions need to put their money behind their stated intentions. Budgets must be reflective of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion arts organizations say they care about.
We demand the subsequent actions in order to not replicate harm.
List of Demands
These demands are based on the following key points explicitly and unapologetically meant to set up Black women to flourish in leadership and vision:
- Pay equity
- Promotion/Advancement
- Healing
- Hiring, investing in, and trusting Black women
- Including budget lines for every item on this list
Arts education and cultural organizations dedicated to uplifting Black women must…
Create dedicated budget lines for hiring Black women in leadership positions.
Ensure equity in pay, especially taking into consideration the emotional labor that Black women undertake and the unique cultural capital they bring to an organization.
Offer compensation packages that really benefit Black women, including wellness/mental health, coverage for children, retirement plans, severance packages. Create a true-cost budget (Propel Nonprofits), reflective of the “true cost” of providing a living wage, full benefits, compensation policies, and employee incentives that many nonprofits overlook.
Create a blueprint/policies that support mentorship, coaching, self-care, and hold space for self-advocacy around issues like promotion, salary increase, and other investment in advancement.
Advocate for living wages for folks in entry level and mid-career positions.
Encourage policies that limit exorbitant pay gaps.
Address lack of pension for elders.Provide post-career/retirement resources: counseling, incentives to save, matching in 401(3)b, etc.
Ensure opportunities for promotion/advancement.
Fund executive coaching/mentorship, whether by someone within the organization or by an external consultant. For Black women hired into leadership positions, ensure that they have the support needed to avoid the “Glass Cliff” (The Today Show).
Make salary negotiations easier via policies (e.g. annual cost-of-living increase).
Build in interview and compensation negotiation coaching.
Remove the degree requirement from all job postings.
Fund ongoing professional development, including for Black women interested in pursuing executive careers
Recruit Black women as teaching artists and for executive leadership and board positions.
Develop a plan for intentionally recruiting Black women to all levels, including staff leadership and board positions.
Create training opportunities for Black women pursuing careers as teaching artists, senior executives, and board members.
Recruit where Black women are.
Include and engage working class Black women on your boards.
Hire more Black women to do curriculum development, and compensate them for this specialized work.
Create a community-based, executive position dedicated to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, including cultural competency, to be held by a Black/Brown person.
Prioritize healing.
Fund retreat opportunities for Black women, restorative time to heal themselves beyond PTO.
Allocate funds toward mental health needs beyond the Retreat: Most therapists, especially Black therapists, are “out-of-network” and not covered by health insurance plans.
Compensate employees beyond their salary (e.g. as consultants) for their emotional labor: For example, when employees are asked to lead conversations on race, to write DEI policies or messages on behalf of the organization, or weigh in on hiring decisions related to race.
Sincerely: The Black Affinity Group et al.
List of Demands Authored by:
Brittany Applewhite, Asari Beale, Sandrine Dupiton, Judith Insell, David King, Jorjina Amefia-Koffi, Toya Lillard, Heather McCartney, Gary Padmore, Mafor Mambo Tse, Josephine Winfrey, PHR, SHRM-CP, and Kendra S. Williams
Philip Alexander, Board Member, NYC Arts in Education Roundtable
Ronald K Alexander, Administrator/ Teacher/ Choreographer
Jorjina Amefia-Koffi, Teaching Artist
Emily Baldwin, Teaching Artist
Aileen Barry, Senior Director of Education & Outreach, National Dance Institute
Asari Beale, Executive Director, Teachers & Writers Collaborative
Roslyn Biskin, Advisory Director, TAMPD facilitator, Together in Dance
Alex Chadwell, Teaching Artist
Andrew Chapman, Founder & Director, Mobile Dance Film Festival
Lisa di Liberto
Andrea Dishy, Arts Administrator
Polly Garcia, Theatre Artist/Teaching Artist
Catherine Gonçalves, Student
Adriana Guzman, Program Facilitator, Community Word Project
Jessica Handrik, Adult Education Advisor & Advocate
Chris Heller
Javan Howard, TAP Lead Facilitator for Curricula & Internships
AnJu Hyppolite, Artivist/ Teaching Artist
Arielle Jennings, Student Program Manager
Nancy Kangas, Teaching Artist, Ohio Arts Council
Sobha Kavanakudiyil, Program Director
Emily Keating, Director of Development and Education, Kunhardt Film Foundation
Kinsey Keck, Programming & Membership Manager, NYC Arts in Education Roundtable
David King, Program Director of School & Community Partnerships, Community-Word Project
Ava Kinsey, Director of Education, Brooklyn Academy of Music
Alex La Torre, Administrator and Educator
Traci Lester, Executive Director
Toya Lillard, Executive Director, viBe Theater Experience
Tamar MacKay, Family Programs Coordinator/ Lead Museum Instructor, Brooklyn Museum
Megan MacPhee, Teaching Artist/ Program Coordinator, Rosie’s Theater Kids
Taryn Matusik, Teaching Artist, Lincoln Center Education
Steven McIntosh, Director of Family Programming, Brooklyn Academy of Music
Kyla McKoll, Program Manager
Ginger Meagher, Director of Education, TDF
Traci Molloy, Artist, Collaborator, and Education Activist
Kimberly Olsen, Executive Director, NYC Arts in Education Roundtable
Brennan ORourke, Program Manager
Ayo Oti, Board Member, NYC Arts in Education Roundtable
Gary Padmore, Director, Education and Community Engagement, New York Philharmonic
Katie Palmer, Executive Director, Together in Dance
Caroline Patterson, Executive Director, Bitty City Players
Rashaad Parker, Community Outreach Coordinator, Flower City Arts Center
Malena Pennycook, Teaching Artist
Jessica Polaniecki, Education Manager
Joy Prentice, Arts & SEL Equity in Education, Groove For Good
Diane Ramo
Jacqueline Raymond Wegman, Teaching Artist/Co-Founder, Intl Girls Ensemble
Blair Reavis-Tyler, Administrator, Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation
Nick Robertson, General Manager, Brooklyn Children’s Theatre
Nikaury Rodriguez, Performer/Teaching Artist
Alexander Santiago-Jirau, Director of Education, New York Theatre Workshop
Katie Schuessler, Teaching Artist
Gaven Trinidad, Community Engagement Associate & Education Dept. Team Member, New York Theatre Workshop
Ania Upstill, Teaching Artist, Lincoln Center Theatre
Michael Wiggins, Teaching Artist
Brian L Thompson, Music Teacher, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
Simon Rubey, Teaching Artist & CCNY Theatre Education Student
Marissa Ontiveros, Teaching Artist
Jacqueline Zemba, Service Member, The Institute of Music for Children
Paul Murphy, Teaching artist and Musician; Decoda, Juilliard, New York Philharmonic
Rachel Watts, Executive Director, ArtsConnection
Jillian Greenberg, Director of Education, USDAN Summer Camp for the Arts
Quanice Floyd, Founder, Arts Administrators of Color Network
Kara Fischer, Teacher
Audrey Thao Berger, Arts Administration and Dance Teaching Artist
Monique Letamendi, Artistic Director, viBe Theater Experience
Lissette Martinez, Network and Learning Manager, National Guild for Community Arts Education
Lana Meyer, Program Manager, Arts In Education, Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation
Sheri Gottlieb, Associate Director, Music Partners Program, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
Kimberley Jackson-Brown, Managing Director of Elementary Programs, LEAP
Melissa Caballero, Arts Administration Graduate Student at CUNY Baruch College
Eve Wolff, Deputy Director, Dancing Classrooms
Alicia Kubes, Associate Director, Center for Applied Liberal Arts, NYU School of Professional Studies
Spencer Hale, Senior Manager of Teaching and Learning, Little Kids Rock
Michelan Le’Monier, Director of Operations, viBe Theater Experience
Donna Walker-Kuhne, President/Founder, Walker International Communications Group, Inc.
Kati Koerner, Arts Administrator, Educator and NYCAIER Board Member
Alissa Blate, President, Black Dog Strategies
Jennifer DiBella, Director of Education, Roundabout Theatre Company
Kelly Donovan, Director of In-School Programs, ArtsConnection
Hector Rivera, Arts Administrator
Kaitlin Hines-Vargas, Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager, Education Through Music
Dorothy Savitch, Director of Music Partners; Director of the Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
Rubi Fregoso, Arts Education Administrator/Director
Rachel Kara Pérez, Artist & Educator
Jhanelle Gopie, Senior Associate Director, Fund Development, Youth INC
Lisa Mitchell, Arts Administrator/ NYCAIER Board Member
Josie Whittlesey, Executive Director, Drama Club
Deborah Lohse, Teaching Artist
Kim Grier, Teaching Artist & Arts Administrator, Rod Rodgers Dance Company
Anu Annam, Founder/Director, SEA of Visibility
Amanda Newman, Evaluation and Special Projects Manager / Teaching Artist, Community-Word Project
Kirsten King, Youth Programs Director
Hannah Berson, Director of Programs, Exploring the Arts
Alexis Morant, Operations Analyst
Kathleen Dorman, Education Director, Theatre for a New Audience
Kat Geng, Artist
Alexis Morant, Operations Analyst
Al Valentín, Teaching Assistant, Rutgers University
Gillian Adler, Principal, Socio-Ecological Solutions, LLC
Nancy Agabian, Writer, Teacher, Literary Organizer
Courtney Surmanek, Teaching Artist/Professor, Ping Chong + Company/Virginia Tech School of Performing Arts
Beata Moon, Teaching Artist
Parris Whittingham, Photographer and Creative Director, From Parris with Love
María José Maldonado, Artist
Cassandra Raimundi, Supporter
Anna Stefanic, Teaching Artist
Erin Orr, Puppetry curriculum specialist, ArtsConnection
Sarah Branch, Arts Administrator
Melissa Beth Birnbaum, Arts Educator, NYC DOE
Kerrien Suarez, Executive Director, Equity in the Center
Theodore Wiprud, Composer and Consultant
Andrew Plumley, Director of Inclusion
Natalie Correa, Arts Administrator
Wade Handy, Associate Director of Education, Manhattan Theatre Club
Sheilah Mabry, Therapist, Leadership Coach, Artist, Consultant
Hayley Sherwood, Program Manager / Teaching Artist
Grace Stewart, DEAI Project Manager
Sheilah Mabry, Therapist, Leadership Coach, Artist, Consultant
Yvonne Curry, Choreographer
Erika Atkins, Executive Director, Bloomingdale School of Music
Laura Borgwardt, Teaching Artist
Erin Loughran, Associate Director DELLTA Programs, ArtsConnection
Rosemary Taylor, Artist Educator, Guggenheim/ CUNY
Olander Wilson, Teaching Artist/Actor
Michelle Lopez, Access, Education and Community Engagement Consultant
Nichole Talbott, Founder/Creative Director, Asé Arts
Nancy Kleaver, Arts Education Executive
Karyn Kloumann, Artist
Elizabeth Chapin, Artist, Midterms Matter
Aqiyla, Manager of Community Engagement, American Documentary/POV
Tobie Stein, Professor and Author
Heather Lanza, Director of Education, Waterwell
Erika Myers Hyde, Development Director, DreamYard
Madelyn Murphy, Producing Associate, Waterwell
Fran Van Horn, Deputy Director for Development, ArtsConnection
Sabrina Alamo, Teaching Artist
Kate Bell, Teaching Artist, Theater Development Fund, Park Avenue Armory, Brooklyn Arts Exchange, City Lore, Marquis Studios
Madison Hoyos, Manager, Development and Partnership Operations, LEAP
Aviva Jaye Mitchell, Arts Administrator/Teaching Artist
Ronald Chironna, Teaching Artist, Studio in a School, Marquis Studios, Community Word Project, Arts For All, Center for Arts Education
Kierah Thompson, Arts Educator & Business Owner, The Vybe Lounge, LLC
Rosemary Williams, Arts Administrator
Caeli Smith, Teaching Artist/Violist, New York Philharmonic; Ensemble Connect; MusicAlly
Keith Kaminski, Director of Education, BRIC
Gabrielle Gilliam, Board Member, The Bechdel Group
Danielle Hilkin, Education & Outreach Director, Wyckoff House Museum
Meggan Gomez, Former executive director
Patrick Ferreri, Teaching Artist
Scot Maitland, Development Associate, Education Through Music
Emalie Mayo, Project Coordinator, Yale School of Drama
Maria Schirmer, Teaching Artist
Stefanie Siegel, Executive Director and Founder, Bailey’s Cafe
Piper Andrson, Founder/President, Create Forward
Nicola Giardina, Program Director, Studio in a School
Saul Chernick, Director, Professional Development, Studio in a School
Shireen Dickson, Director, OKRA Dance Company
Kevin James, Founding Director, Arts and Learning Initiatives
Alexandra López, Associate Director of Education, Lincoln Center Theater
Lulu Fogarty, Project Manager / Arts Educator, Bridging Education and Art Together
Meghan Grover, Teaching Artist
Jessica Klonsky, Teacher
Josh Roth, Music Industry
Kim Tranell, Editorial Director
Anna Gold, Director of Communications, A child welfare org based in NYC
Adam Arango, Director of Development, Education Through Music
Brenda Maloy, Associate Director, Bridges Program, ArtsConnection
Laurine Towler, Teaching Artist, Lincoln Center Theater
Michelle Fletcher, Company Manager, Camille A. Brown and Dancers
April Biggs, Dance Artist / Teacher / Writer
Blanca Esquivel, Researcher
Elizabeth Bishop, Director of Strategic Initiatives, CUNY SPS Youth Studies
Jennifer Kessler, Executive Director, International Contemporary Ensemble
Chesray Dolpha, Consultant, Kreatif Studio
Helen Wheelock, NYC AIE Roundtable Board Member
Yanira Castro, Artist
Courtney J Boddie, Arts Educator/Podcast Host
Anastasia Colzie, Previously Manager of Family and Community Programs
Angie Pittman, Artist and Educator
Sandrine Dupiton, Director of Education & Human Potential
Sheila Kerrigan, Teaching Artist–Mime
Heather Hughes, Actor/Director/Teaching Artist
Katie Fanning, Education Project Manager, New 42
Alanna Pittard, Manager of Government Relations and Compliance, BRIC Arts Media
KeriAnne Murphy, Board Member, NYC Arts in Education Roundtable
Jean Oliver-Cretara, Manager, Teaching and Learning, New York Philharmonic
Marcus Johnson, Director of Programs, Opening Act
Paul Brewster McGinley, Director of Teaching & Learning
David Shookhoff, Director of Education, Manhattan Theatre Club
Polly Garcia, Teaching Artist/Community Engagement Producer
Justin Daniel, Associate Director of After School Programs, Opening Act
Hillary Kolos, Director of Digital Learning, DreamYard
Michele Kotler, Executive Director, Community Word Project
Stephen Ferrell, Teacher
Jane O’Leary, Director of Education, Barrington Stage Co.
Alice Klugherz, Performing and Teaching Artist
Amy Harris, Arts Education Consultant and Grantwriter
Liz Osunkemi Coleman, Co- Director, Iya Moopo Workshop
Kristen Lynch, Executive Director
Calia Marshall, Teaching Artist & Equity Advocate National Dance Institute
Tiffany Porter, Educator/Director
Katelyn Simone, Artist/Institutional Giving Officer, New York Philharmonic
Benjamin Lundberg Torres Sánchez, Teaching Artist Opening Act
Rob Fields, Arts Advisor
Kathryn McKinney, Arts Administrator
Kristy Gomez, Communications Strategist, GOMEZ
Martha Redbone, Musician
Linda Lopes, Supporter
Tanisha Christie, LCSW Artist/Psychotherapist/Lecturer/Consultant
Bianca Johnson, Rehearsal Director, Teaching Artist/Choreographer, National Dance Institute
Kate Cox, Associate Director of Development
Ashley Zaragoza, Lead Teaching Artist/Program Manager – Education, Girl Be Heard
Kay Gayner, Associate Artistic Director, National Dance Institute
Ryan Kim, Actor/Teaching Artist
Marco Lienhard, Executive Director, East Winds, Inc.
Hanaah Bates, Executive Director, Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana
Cathleen Carr, Director of Innovation and Engagement, Opening Act
Sahar Muradi, Director of Education Programs, City Lore
Neil Flint Worden, Performing Arts Teacher/Teaching Artist, NYC DOE/NFW Custom Coaching NYC
Madeleine Cutrona, Teaching Artist
Bob Braswell, Managing Director, People’s Theatre Project
Angel Reed, Teaching Artist, National Dance Institute
Kimaada Le Gendre, Head of Education, Queens Museum
Judith Insell, Interim Executive Director, Bronx Arts Ensemble
Katharine Strobel, Arts Administrator
Sonnet Takahisa, Independent Consultant, Arts and Cultural Strategies, Inc.
Andrea Cote, Education Program Coordinator, The Watermill Center
Daniel Levy, Artist / Educator, DanielLevyMusic.com
Katie Rainey, Director of the Teaching Artist Project, Community-Word Project
Jenina Podulka, Communications Manager, National Guild for Community Arts Education
Willa Goettling, Education Coordinator, Dieu Donné Papermill
Colleen Megley, Arts Administrator
Ciara Ruddock, Teaching Artist, Marquis Studios
Jill Sonke, Academic Administrator
Amanda Dargan, Director of Special Projects in Education, City Lore
Kea Trevett, Teaching Artist, TFANA
Hope Cartelli, Theater Producer
Adam Frank, Managing Director, Waterwell
Heleya de Barros, Co-Executive Director, Teaching Artists Guild
Tricia Patrick, Director of Public Engagement and Education,
Christina Puccio, NY State Chapter Leader, Moms against Racism
Elizabeth Simmons, Director of Education & Theatre Teacher
Remi Harris, Artist/Performance Curator
Bryn Thorsson, Theatre Teacher NYC DOE
Laura Bozzone, Performing Arts Coordinator
Leslie Fray, Actor
Jill Sonke, Academic administrator
Maria Furcal, Therapist, DoingMariaShit
Julia Anrather, Musician
Sharon Counts, Arts and Community Engagement Innovator
Danielle Amodeo, Marketing & Public Programs Specialist, Mead Art Museum
Monica Weigel McCarthy, Director of Education, Park Avenue Armory
Molaundo Jones, Founder, The Clever Agency
Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière, Director of Content & Digital Marketing, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (NY)
Gabrielle Pflugradt, Communications Director
Kelley Ho, Teaching Artist & Organizer
Chantara Ellis, Director of School and Community Programs
Ramona Laughing, Chief, Laughing Brook LLC
Brook Webb, Chief, Laughing Brook LLC
Monique Aldred, Artist
Bethany Parker, Managing Director of Development, Community-Word Project, Inc.
Brianna Harrison, Administrative Intern, viBe Theater Experience
Kayla Jackmon, Business Manager/Teaching Artist, Opening Act
Aya Esther Hayashi, Development Director, People’s Theatre Project
Will Stout, Supporter
Sindy I Castro, Teaching Artist, Co-founder of Jugando N Play
Lucy Sexton, Executive Director, New Yorkers for Culture & Arts
Amanda Hinkle Wallace Director of Education & Partnerships, Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble
Mary Suk, Teaching Artist
Ava Kinsey, Director of Education, Brooklyn Academy of Music
Jean Marie McKee, Artistic Director, Naked Angels Theater Company
Meghan Grover, Theater Teaching Artist
Chelsea Rose, Team Lead, The Shed
Jeffrey Grover, Partner, g2h films
Stephanie Lee, CBO
Todd Woodward, Teaching Artist, Lincoln Center Theater, BAM, DreamYard
Craig Hayes, Deputy Director, Community Word Project
Elisha Eanes, ESL Tutor
Tennell Williams, Supporter
Jacqui Malouf, Teaching Artist/Founder, What’s Your Story? WYS Foundation
Troy Tinley, Supporter
Lindsey Stortz
Kristin Scarola, Independent Consultant for Education in Museums and the Arts
Christopher Gross, Teaching Arist, New York Philharmonic
Lesley Hunter, Programming Committee Member, NYC Arts in Education Roundtable
Nancy Ahn, Artist, Operations Manager, The Field
Elly Nina Mor, Masters Student, CCNY Educational Theatre Graduate Program
Floyd Rumohr, Brooklyn Community Pride Center
Erin McCready, Teaching Artist
Renata Townsend, Teaching Artist
Christine Powers, Company Manager
Jacqueline Raymond Wegman, Teaching Artist/ Co-Founder, International Girls Ensemble
Adana Protonentis, Consultant
Angel Reed, Teaching Artist, National Dance Institute
Ramona Laughing Brook Webb, Chief, Laughing Brook LLC.
Kemi Ilesanmi, Executive Director, The Laundromat Project
Kadeem, Director, Kadeem One
Nancy Kangas, Teaching Artist, Ohio Arts Council
Linda Cholodenko, TA Independent
LaTonya Borsay, Teaching Artist, Apollo Theatre, Lincoln Center Education, Lincoln Center Theater, Roundabout Theatre Company
Helen Frank, Director of Marketing & Communications, Education Through Music
Laurine Towler, Teaching Artist, Lincoln Center Education, Roundabout Theatre
Angela Delaney Kircher, Arts Administrator
Kendra S Williams, Arts Administrator, Connection Korner
Kelsey Halliday Johnson, Executive Director, SPACE
Sarah McLellan, Development – The Field; Consultant The Field
Nanya-Akuki Goodrich, Teaching Artist/Arts Admin.
Yvonne Anderson-Bill Singer, Teaching Artist, Director, City College Educational Theatre Master of Science student
Sarah Billings Wheeler, Artist/Arts Administrator
Jennifer Wright Cook, Executive Director, The Field
Abby Schreer, Arts Administrator & Teaching Artist
Jeanne Houck, Executive Director, Creative Arts Team at CUNY
Isabel Quinzaños Alonso, Program Associate
Myesha Cole, Program Director, TBEY Arts Center
Vanayah Harrigan, Manager of Institutional Giving
Marissa Gutierrez-Vicario, Executive Director, Art and Resistance Through Education (ARTE)
Ingrid Romero, Teaching Artist + Community Organizer
Shenica Odom, Art Administrator, Apollo Theater
Juan Carlos Salinas, Director of Education, Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning
Jeff Vockrodt, Board Member, NYC Arts in Education Roundtable
Matthew Greene, Act 2 Program Manager, Opening Act
Leigh Wells, Deputy Director of Programs & Operations
B. Manuel Simons, Ph.D., Theater Artist/Educator/Researcher, Associate Undergraduate Deputy Chair, Brooklyn College Theater Department
Laura Gravino, Director of Education, Bloomingdale School of Music
Audrey A Akins, Student, Applied Theater CUNY SPS
Adeola Adegbola-White, School Administrator
Ashley Marie Ortiz, Teaching Artist/Associate, Opening Act/Park Avenue Armory
Caryn Cooper, Arts Administrator
Laura Epperson, Teaching Artist
Nina C Lasky, Arts Director, New York City Department of Education
Tim Lord, Co-Executive Director, DreamYard
Natalie Willens, Educator
Dria Brown, Chief of Staff, Broadway Advocacy Coalition
Zenzele Z. Johnson, Project Manager
Melissa Gawlowski Pratt, Arts Administrator
Maria Furcal, Creative Director, DoingMariaShit
Louise Heit, Teaching Artist, Choreographer
Ashley Y. Lipscomb, CEO, The Institute for Anti-Racist Education, Inc.
Janet Onyenucheya, Teaching Artist, New Victory Theater, BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music)
Twinkle Burke, Actor/Writer/Teaching Artist
Billie jean Frage, Artist/RN
Aierelle Jacob, Theatre Education Administrator
Noni Lenore Jones, Teaching Artist, Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG)
Imani Edwards, Independent Consultant
Quenna L Barrett, Associate Director of Education and Engagement, Goodman Theater
Kimberlee Walker, Actor, writer, teaching artist
Susan Pope, Dance Educator
Kenya Lenora Bullock, Black Woman Arts Educator, Ping Chong and Company
Amy Appleton, Arts Administrator & Educator
Libby Mislan, Teaching Artist, Community-Word Project
Akua LEZLI Hope, Creator, ARTFARM PRESS, Speculative Sundays
A Ernell McClenon, Artist/Consultant
Jazsmine McDonald, Arts Educator
Rhonesha Blache, Doctoral Candidate & Sr. Executive Director, Teachers College, Columbia University & African Diaspora Consortium
Paula Heitman, Executive Director, Marquis Studios
William N Porter, Education Fellow, New Victory Theater
Joyce Parr, Advocate
Danielle Criss, Cultural Arts Educator/Teaching Artist/Arts Admin/Professor
Alex Unthank, Education Associate
Nelle Stokes, Executive Director, Magic Box Productions, Inc.
José A. Rivera, Consultant, Rivera, Sierra & Company, Inc.
Sheila Lewandowski, Executive Director, The Chocolate Factory Theater
Valerie Skakun, Artist / Educator
Mary Suk, Teaching Artist
Sarah Petersiel, Teaching Artist
Lauren Brandt Schloss, Executive Director, USDAN Summer Camp for the Arts
Deja Robinson, Arts Administrator & Educator
Tina Thompson-Pope, Artistic Director, Staten Island Contemporary Dance
Ghislaine Sabiti, Art Specialist
Massah Fofana, Visual Artist/Teaching Artist, SPCSHPStudio
Gwendolyn Black, Founder/Producer, Arts and Jazzfest NYC
Tracey Dixon, Teaching Artist and Private Studio (Dixon String Studio)
Latasha Casterlow-Lalla, Supervisor of Visual & Performing Arts, Passaic Public Schools – Passaic, New Jersey
Charlecia Joy, Founder & Creative Director, Stapledon Arts
Danyett Hagwood Tucker, Curriculum and Instructional Developer, Art with a Heart
Candace Leslie, Visual Artist and Fiscal Associate, ArtsConnection
Alison Cox, Visual Arts Teaching Artist, LEAP/Studio in a School/Marquis Studios
Beryl Briane Ford, Co-Executive Director, viBe Theater Experience
Jordan Carter, Education and Community Engagement Manager, Harlem Stage
Latifah L. Wright, Museum Educator, Philadelphia Museum of Art
Isis Kirton, Artist
Yolande Clark-Jackson, Teaching Artist
Monique Jarvis, Director Communications and Corporate Partnerships, LEAP
Kendra McLean, Project Manager, Art Start
Reyna Bonaparte, Education Manager & Teaching Artist, People’s Theatre Project
Savannah Jackson, Gallery Educator, Skirball Cultural Center
Kathy D. Harrison, Director, Signature Programs Department, LEAP
Koren, Artist
Andrea David, Assistant to Director of Development, Newark School of the Arts
A Ernell McCclenon, Case Manager/Artist
Sharon Daley-Johnson, Performing Arts Teacher/Founder Emerita, Reaching for the Arts, Inc.
Tahina Pierce, Owner/ Founder, Marcette Studios – Creative Wellness Hub
Lisa A. Johnson, Educator, Teaching Artist, Resilience Coach, Motivational Speaker, Lisa Anne Johnson & Associates
Terry Chaka, Art Historian/Consultant
Genesis Monegro, Teaching Artist and Museum Educator
Biu, Ofronama. (2020, July 9). Black Women in the Nonprofit Sector: New Findings from the 2019 Race to Lead Survey. Building Movement Project. https://buildingmovement.org/blog/black-women-in-the-nonprofit-sector-new-findings-from-the-2019-race-to-lead-survey/
Biu, Ofronama (2019). Race to Lead: Women of Color in the Nonprofit Sector. Building Movement Project. https://racetolead.org/women-of-color/
Author unknown. (n.d.). Gender and Racial Inequity During Crisis: Black Women and the Pay Gap. Time’s Up Foundation. https://timesupfoundation.org/work/times-up-pay-up/gender-and-racial-inequity-during-crisis-black-women-the-pay-gap/
Weldon, Michele. (2019, June 4). Numbers Tell The Story: Confronting Bias in Nonprofit Leadership. Take the Lead. https://www.taketheleadwomen.com/blog/numbers-tell-the-story-confronting-bias-in-nonprofit-leadership?rq=nonprofit
Taylor, Sara. (2018, September 28). Black ceiling exists for African-American women seeking nonprofit leadership roles. Race to Lead. https://racetolead.org/black-ceiling-exists-for-african-american-women-seeking-nonprofit-leadership-roles/
Lee, Dr. Danille Moss. (2020, July 8). Black Women in Nonprofits Matter. Nonprofit Quarterly. https://nonprofitquarterly.org/black-women-in-nonprofits-matter/
Bhutta, Neil; Chang, Andrew C.; Dettling, Lisa G.; Hsu, Joanne W.; and Hewitt, Julia. (2020, September 28). Disparities in Wealth by Race and Ethnicity in the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances. The Federal Reserve System. https://www.federalreserve.gov/econres/notes/feds-notes/disparities-in-wealth-by-race-and-ethnicity-in-the-2019-survey-of-consumer-finances-20200928.htm.
McIntosh, Kriston; Moss, Emily; Nunn, Ryan; and Shambaugh, Jay. (2020, February 27). Examining the Black-white wealth gap. The Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2020/02/27/examining-the-black-white-wealth-gap/
Author unknown. (Original edition Fall 2018, updated in 2020). The Simple Truth About the Gender Pay Gap. The American Association of University Women (AAUW). https://www.aauw.org/resources/research/simple-truth/
McCambridge, Ruth. (2020, August 14). Some Nonprofits Saw PPP Loans End too Early—and Layoffs Followed. Nonprofit Quarterly. https://nonprofitquarterly.org/some-nonprofits-saw-ppp-loans-end-too-early-and-layoffs-followed/
Mizan, Nusaiba. (2021, January 15). Black and Latina women carried the brunt of job loss in December. PolitiFact. https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/jan/15/sarah-godlewski/black-and-latina-women-carried-brunt-job-loss-dece/
Author unknown. (2021). True Program Costs: Program Budget and Allocation Template and Resource. Propel Nonprofits. https://www.propelnonprofits.org/resources/true-program-costs-program-budget-allocation-template-resource/#
Slater, Kate. (2020, August 28). The ‘glass cliff’: How women and people of color are set up to fail in the workplace. TODAY. https://www.today.com/tmrw/glass-cliff-why-women-people-color-are-often-set-fail-t189060
Wiles, Ayoka. (2020, April 29). Black Women Leaders Lean Into Resilience. NonProfit PRO. https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/black-women-leaders-lean-into-resilience/
Kelley, Alexandra. (2021, January 11). US cut 140,000 jobs in December. All were held by women, while men gained employment. The Hill. https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/533706-us-cut-140000-jobs-in-december-all-were-held-by-women-while
Horta, Beatriz and Price, Zaporah. (2021, January 26). ‘Threatened, devalued and tokenized’: Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence Assistant Director resigns over workplace racism. The Yale Daily News. https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2021/01/26/threatened-devalued-and-tokenized-yale-center-for-emotional-intelligence-assistant-director-resigns-over-workplace-racism/
Wingfield, Adia Harvey. (n.d.). Women are advancing in the workplace, but women of color still lag behind. The Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu/essay/women-are-advancing-in-the-workplace-but-women-of-color-still-lag-behind/
Carroll, Rebecca. (n.d.). Black Women Aren’t Here To Solve Your Racism Problem. The Riveter, Inc. https://theriveter.co/voice/black-women-arent-here-to-solve-your-racism-problem/
Asare, Janice Gassam. (2020, September 22). Misogynoir: The Unique Discrimination That Black Women Face. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2020/09/22/misogynoir-the-unique-discrimination-that-black-women-face/?sh=432aaf0656ef
Author of blog unknown. (2020, August 13). Unequal Pay for Black Women Shows Why We Must Dismantle Systemic Racism in Our Workplaces. A Better Balance https://www.abetterbalance.org/unequal-pay-for-black-women-demonstrates-why-we-must-dismantle-systemic-racism-in-our-workplaces/
The We A.R.T./New York Coalition, et. al. (2020). We A.R.T./New York, and We Demand Better. https://drive.google.com/file/d/16eVsh3F4LC3vQb5sCUKG6XrMxjF7WZyc/view?fbclid=IwAR3OQwd3EtoWa-8S99-REGu5__ERcUxkYXnyufsd2cBiJTxBrctktI_Sntg
BIPOC theatremakers, The Ground We Stand On. (2020). We See You, White American Theater. https://www.weseeyouwat.com/
Marching Orders: Taking Action to Center Black Women’s Leadership
Centering Black Women: Aligned Actions Worksheet
The tool is aimed at key stakeholders (board, administrative and teaching staff members, participants) at organizations to help determine the extent to which they are centering, acknowledging, and supporting Black women, especially in leadership positions.
Knowing that each organization is at different stages, this document is not meant to be prescriptive. We hope for a collaborative process within organizations to help define actionable steps, shift culture, and provide an equitable space for Black women, which, in turn, would model the kind of world we want to create with all our stakeholders. This is an iterative process, knowing that this work takes time but also needs to get started.