Walking the Talk: Putting Racial and Cultural Equity Values Into Practice

On Thurs, March 28th, 2019, NOCD-NY and Arts & Democracy hosted a webinar on different approaches to grounding equity commitments through training, program design, and day-to-day practices—from both community-based and public sector perspectives. The webinar was facilitated by Vanessa Whang and included presenters Libertad O. Guerra, Kathy Hsieh, and Keryl McCord.

You will find bios and resources below the video.

Libertad O. Guerra is Director of The Loisaida Center in New York City and an anthropologist and social and art researcher/historian with 15 years of experience in cultural production and arts management. She applies her expertise in Puerto Rican, Latino, and Latin American social, artistic, and community movements in urban immigrant settings and institutional partnerships.

Resources from Libertad:
Loisaida Cultural Plan

Kathy Hsieh is the Cultural Partnerships and Grants Manager, overseeing community-building, funding, and racial equity programs of the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture. For years, she has been a key change agent in transforming the City’s arts funding program through a racial equity lens. Kathy is also an award-winning actor, playwright, director, and producer.

Resources from Kathy:
Personal Practice in Working Toward Equity
City of Seattle Workplace Values & Expectations
Seattle Office of Arts & Culture’s Commitment to Racial Equity

Keryl McCord is part of the facilitation team for the UpROOTing Racism trainings of Alternate ROOTS, a member-driven service organization for artists and cultural organizers based in the South. She is also President and CEO of the Equity Quotient (EQ), a national training and organizational development firm dedicated to supporting nonprofits to become more just and equitable.

resources from Keryl:
Practical Real Talk About Equity

MODERATOR:

Vanessa Whang

Vanessa Whang is a thought partner with civic actors, organizations, and funders engaged with culture, equity, and social change. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for 30 years as a touring musician, arts administrator, and funder. Vanessa believes a deeper understanding of culture is key to finding more sustainable paths to well-being for people and the planet.

Resources from Vanessa:
Belonging in Oakland: A Cultural Development Plan
Culture, Equity, and Cities, Grantmakers in the Arts Reader  
Grandfather, how do I learn? Exploring the Foundations of Diversity, Melissa K. Nelson & Rose von Thater Braan-Imai (producers), includes Willie Ermine (Sturgeon Lake First Nation) on ethical space.
Race Forward for additional resources on racial equity  

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

From PolicyLink:
The Equity Manifesto
Creating Change through Arts, Culture, and Community Development

From Animating Democracy:
Aesthetic Perspectives: Attributes of Excellence in Arts for Change