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Standing Committee for and embracing in the past, we now recognize our short-
Diversity Initiatives comings and resolve to address them. Our members rep-
resent a diverse community and deserve to be acknowl-
edged and treated with dignity. We welcome you into
What is the committee’s mission? our community of support and partnership.

The Diversity Initiatives Committee of the Ameri-
can Choral Directors Association (ACDA) aims to How can members connect with the committee?
foster diversity and inclusivity in our membership,
ensembles, repertoire, and offerings through active We welcome the membership to get more involved
engagement with underrepresented and historically with our committee and with our organization as a
marginalized choral musicians and potential choral whole. Members can send us an email at dic@acda.org,
participants. We will bring about a broader definition and join our thriving Facebook community, “ACDA Di-
and understanding of choral excellence both as a re- versity Initiatives.” We also welcome submissions to the
sult of this inclusivity and to maintain our relevance DIC’s Choral Journal column, “Lift Every Voice.” We are
and expand both the reach and impact of our profes- always looking for members to share lived experiences
sion and its musical scope. and promising practices related to ADEI. On occasion,
the DIC launches task forces to execute large projects on
behalf of the association.
Who is included on the committee?

Chair: Arreon Harley-Emerson; Members: Ahmed
Anzaldúa, Noël Archambeault, Mari Esabel Valverde, Standing Committee for
and Josh Palkki Education and Communication

What does the committee provide for ACDA What is the committee’s mission?
members?

The mission of the ACDA National Standing Com-
At the heart of our work, the Diversity Initia-
tives Committee is committed to truth-seeking and mittee on Education and Communication is to foster and
truth-telling. In doing so, we are both proactive and support educational initiatives that provide professional
responsive. The DIC proactively works across the or- development and resources for emerging, mid-career,
ganization to ensure more equitable policies and in- and late-career ACDA members as well those initiatives
tentional inclusion in the choral arts, most especially focused on inspiring the next generation of choral pro-
within ACDA. We also respond to real-world events in fessionals. The standing committee assists with encour-
real time, assisting the organization in delivering on its aging authors for online and print publication.
commitments to ADEI. We serve as an advisory board
for the National Board, Executive Committee, and the
Executive Director. Who is included on the committee?
Diversity has many facets and intersectionalities.
Diversity can reference and celebrate culture, race, Chair: John McDonald; Members: Robert Sinclair,
ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sexual Mark Lawley, Grant Farmer
identity, age, and religious ideals, among others. While
we have not always been open, affirming, accepting,

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