The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts (MPAC) today announced that it is one of 20 boards recognized as finalists for the 2022 National Board of Corporate Directors (NACD) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards. These national awards recognize boards that have improved governance and created long-term value for their stakeholders through forward-thinking Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) practices. increase. The finalist was celebrated at his NACD DE&I Awards Gala on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at Gotham Hall in New York City. NACD received over 150 nominations at this year’s awards.
“The Board of Directors of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts is honored to be named a finalist in the non-profit category,” said MPAC President Ray Wilson. “In our line of work, we have a unique opportunity to harness the unifying power of the performing arts to advance DE&I efforts. Artists) reflect a diverse demographic, being part of a community and making sure everyone represents themselves in our organization, regardless of background.”
MPAC is one of four nationally recognized organizations in the non-profit category.
“The Marcus Performing Arts Center has worked hard to make great strides in creating an equitable meeting room,” said Peter Gleason, NACD President and CEO. “NACD is proud that Marcus Center for the Performing Arts has driven his DE&I across the boardroom and organization.”
MPAC has been involved in DE&I efforts for almost 20 years. To facilitate these efforts, in 2018 MPAC commissioned a study by the P3 Development Group to establish a strategy on diversity and inclusion. In 2020, MPAC’s Board of Directors committed to developing a more robust, indicator-based action plan to advance the organization’s Racial Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI). MPAC staff and board members formed his REDI task force, and the P3 development group re-engaged to review the 2018 report and make recommendations using a 2020 lens. Through this process, the MPAC REDI Action Plan was developed with strategic pillars and objectives in three key areas:
- Representation of artists, leadership, board, staff, and volunteer members who reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of Milwaukee County
- An inclusion-focused culture focused on creating, maintaining, and promoting an environment of belonging across the organization
- Financial investment in REDI initiatives across the organization
“The Board of Directors of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts is a change agent leading REDI’s goals and upholds a simple mantra: what is measured is achieved,” said Kendra Witt, President and CEO of MPAC. Rock Ingram said. “This national recognition reinforces their commitment to ensuring that the Marcus Performing Arts Center is a world-class gathering place for all in our region.”
MPAC has entered its second year of planning and has achieved many important goals, including:
- BIPOC representation for MPAC boards is 53%.More than 50% of board members are women
- Over 50% of MPAC Presents artists are BIPOC individuals telling their BIPOC stories.
- All board members and leadership staff (directors, vice presidents, CEOs) participated in cross-cultural development inventory assessments to help determine attitudes/skill sets to cultural differences and commonalities.
- MPAC’s leadership staff received extensive anti-racism training, with the majority of leadership attending the six-week YWCA Unlearning Racism course.
- MPAC has commissioned several works of art by BIPOC artists (dance, music and theater).
- MPAC tapped its first Cultural Ambassador, Green Bay Packers star and Dancing with the Stars champion Donald Driver, to drive MPAC’s community engagement efforts.
“While we have made great strides with the REDI Action Plan, we recognize that the process towards racial equity, diversity and inclusion is a marathon, not a sprint, and we must always think and act. It’s our mission as an organization to listen and listen. She “thanks her NACD for acknowledging the board’s commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in her performing arts.”
For more information on MPAC’s REDI Action Plan, please visit www.marcuscenter.org/REDI. For more information on NACD’s commitment to advancing DE&I at the board level, as well as further insights, trends and perspectives on this issue, please visit the NACD Center for Comprehensive Governance and his NACD Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Resource Center. please give me.
