Anti-Racism and Equity Assurance Resources
OhioDance supports the Black Lives Matter movement, Anti-Racism and Equity Assurance.
May 2020: Our national and global communities are responding to and demanding action toward injustices; dismantling racism and a white supremacy culture. OhioDance supports the Black Lives Matter movement, Anti-Asian Hate, and a promise for racial justice. OhioDance will continue our mission and commits to advocating for healthy organizational environments that do not tolerate harassment of any kind, racism, homophobia or abuse of power. United, we champion a just and equitable culture where individuals have supportive pathways to speak up.
We need to protect and honor the history and people of the places we live. Native nations negotiated with the government to preserve their sovereign land, rights, and privileges through treaties. When land wasn’t ceded through good faith efforts, it was stolen from our Indigenous people. Indigenous people are not relics of the past. We celebrate the talents and gifts of our indigenous people.
We acknowledge the labor of enslaved Africans and their descendants who worked this stolen land for the colonists, and who continue to disproportionately face economic oppression, racism, violence, and exploitation.
We realize that technology has a legacy of colonization. Equipment and high-speed internet is not available to all in our communities. We share responsibility to make improvements and consider our roles in resolution, decolonization, and collaboration.
OhioDance is dedicated to ensuring equity for all races, genders, orientations, abilities and beliefs. OhioDance may take any actions deemed appropriate by the Board of Trustees to further this commitment.
Actions: In response, OhioDance (OD) has developed an Anti-Racism and Equity Assurance Committee. The Anti-Racism and Equity Assurance Committee is dedicated to ensuring equity for all races, genders, orientations, and beliefs, related to constituents, members, partners and vendors. This committee will work with all OD’s committees: Development, Fundraising & Marketing, Education, Community Engagement & Membership, Festival, and Governance to guarantee accountability.
Our efforts are intentional, inclusive and statewide in reach. OhioDance has developed a resource list to be shared with the community. Virtual sessions are open to the general public.
OhioDance Resources on Anti-Racism, Equity, Trauma Informed Education, Food Insecurity, Ableism, and Mental Health (Click on this link to access the resource)