KCFAA Stands Up For Diversity Equity Inclusion

Solidarity Statement

Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey celebrates and affirms Black lives and Black communities, and works to dismantle racism. Multiculturalism and intersectionality guide our efforts to combat and defeat systemic oppression. Our freedom and the fabric of these United States call on us to stand together in solidarity leaving no child, woman, or man behind. Please stand with us in the fight to create a just, free, and equitable society.

We are asking all like-minded individuals and organizations join us in a pledge to take action in furtherance of the goals of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.

We pledge to:

  • Listen to others, especially those from historically marginalized communities
  • Educate ourselves about the historical and systemic burdens that disproportionately affect people of color
  • Read a book or watch a movie as a group then discuss
  • Support business that share our values

For organizations:

  • Regularly review and update human resources policies and practices to ensure they reflect current best practices
  • Review employee population to determine whether it reflects the community served
  • Review employee recruiting practices, and consider posting positions to agencies and media targeting communities of color
  • Create and support mentoring programs to ensure newly-hired people of color feel welcome and included
  • Provide employees of color opportunities to advance, and a voice in decision-making and hiring
  • Increase the diversity of governing boards, whether the organization is a business or a philanthropic entity
  • Encourage employees to vote, including taking time off work to vote if needed
  • Consider sponsoring a voter registration drive at your place of business
  • Establish a process for hiring more vendors of color
  • If open to the public, make sure all customers feel welcome
  •  If open to the public, review policies for seeking law enforcement intervention

Take the Pledge

Solidarity Pledge 2020

  • I stand up for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Solidarity Pledgers

Melanie Miller Tyrone Aiken Michael Joy Debbie Brooks

Defining Terms of Diversity

Diversity – Ensures a variety of different perspectives to include race, gender, ethnicity, religion, age, cultural background, sexual orientation, languages, education and abilities. Companies with a more diverse workforce generally outperform their competitors with less diversity.

Equity – The quality of being fair or impartial

Inclusion – An environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources and can contribute to the organization’s success.

KCFAA presents COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS. Our new program challenges all to take a deep dive into understanding issues of race while tackling tough topics. Each month KCFAA hosts a virtual conversation, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to share their perspectives and insight.