January 16, 2022—When my career propelled me to leap from the world of dance to The Public Theater, the powerful impact and influence of reviews by critics became even more clear to me. Not only do reviews help shape the public’s perception of a theatrical production, they also can determine its future. For the most part, the critics for numerous media organizations are both male … Continue reading BIPOC Critics Lab Launches New Cohort

January 9, 2022— I am both honored and proud to the share news that the Creating Change Network has joined in partnership with the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Center at Rutger’s University-Newark to curate a line-up of arts events in support of this year’s National Day of Racial Healing. The National Day of Racial Healing—January 18, 2022—was first launched in 2017 by the … Continue reading NJ Arts Community Unites to Support Day of Racial Healing

January 2, 2022— Happy New Year! By the end of 2021, the lights were flickering back on Broadway, museum doors were open, and dance performances and concerts were being held all over the country, despite still navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Even with the vaccine mandates and capacity restrictions, arts-lovers would not be deterred from the pleasure and pure joy of experiencing the arts live and … Continue reading My 2022 Goals: Extending the Hand of Welcome and Modeling Belonging

December 19, 2021—I was deeply saddened to learn this past week about the accidental death of my colleague, Nai-Ni Chen, the founder and choreographer of the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company.  Nai-Ni was a fierce, artistic voice; a “storm” for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Access. She was a bold, fearless, hard-working warrior, who was dedicated to engaging audiences; building bridges with diverse communities; developing dance education … Continue reading In Tribute to Nai-Ni Chen

December 5, 2021—I recently had the wonderful opportunity to discuss ongoing efforts to bring Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) initiatives to Broadway, as well as to other cultural institutions and arts organizations, during an interview on the podcast and radio program ArtMovez. Toni Yuille Williams and Eli Kuslansky are the co-hosts of ArtMovez, which explores issues at the intersection of the creative arts and social … Continue reading ArtMovez Spotlights ED&I and the Arts

November 28, 2021—I recently had the opportunity to continue the webinar discussion with three esteemed colleagues about the importance of building a culture of belonging within our arts community. I am so happy to share the link with the readers of Arts & Culture Connections. Sponsored by Arts Reach, an association of arts management, marketing and development professionals, the focus of Part 2 of the … Continue reading Steps for Building a Culture of Belonging

Artwork Credit: This Guiding Light” is shared with permission of photographer Chrystofer Davis, poet Jasmine Mans, and artist Layqa Nuna Yawar. This mural was made as part of the #MuralsforJustice initiative in Newark, NJ, as a testament to the collective power of Newark artists and that of 2020’s global protests. See the full mural here: “This Guiding Light”. November 21, 2021—Creating Change, a program launched … Continue reading Creating Change has Big Plans for 2022

November 14, 2021—It’s been a couple of years since I checked in with my colleague Edward S. Holmes, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Equity and Inclusion at Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2019, Overture Center was among the first arts institutions in the country to elevate the work of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion to the C-Suite by naming him its Senior … Continue reading Overture Center adds “Justice” to its EDI Work

Photo credit: Eric Freedman October 31, 2021—Congregation Ahavas Sholom, in partnership with the City of Newark, has launched a monthly public forum to build bridges between the city’s diverse faith, ethnic and racial communities, and unite them to work together for a just, anti-racist society. The year-long program — “Diversity United” — was the idea of Eric Freedman, President and CEO of Congregation Ahavas Sholom, … Continue reading “Diversity United” Seeks to Build Bridges Across Newark

October 23, 2021—I believe one of our greatest challenges as arts administrators is to keep our eyes on the present, as well as the future. That’s why I advocate mentorship and teaching as the cornerstones for ensuring that anti-racist organizations aren’t a fad, but rather the bedrock of our nations’ arts and cultural institutions for generations to come. To help shape the future also requires … Continue reading Investing in the Future of the Arts