The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is forming a diversity council, to be co-chaired by Otis N. Glover of Buffalo Employment and Training Center and Rev. Melody Rutherford of Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Cheektowaga Baptist Church. The diversity council will work with the BPO to feature artists of color in Classics, Pops, Family, Rock, Education and/or Community Engagement concerts; create programs tied to community events and history that are relevant to diverse audiences; establish partnerships with diverse organizations and colleagues and collaborate with them on programs; support music education in underserved areas and encourage broad participation in music programs; and seek diversity at all levels of the organization including the board, staff, volunteers and the orchestra itself. A press release notes that the BPO board has endorsed the city’s Opportunity Pledge, which “goes hand in hand with the formation of the Diversity Council.” Says Mayor Byron W. Brown, “I thank the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Maestro JoAnn Falletta, and the recently formed BPO Diversity Council for helping us promote our shared commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by supporting and signing the Buffalo Opportunity Pledge.” More than 5,500 individuals and 372 businesses and organizations in Buffalo have signed the pledge, representing over 180,000 employees and members.
Posted July 22, 2016
