Turning Meaningful Conversation into Racial Justice Action at the Minnesota Orchestra

Laurie and Paula serve on the board of directors for the Minnesota Orchestra, and are part of the organization’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. In this Q&A, they both discuss how YWCA Minneapolis’ programs and events, like It’s Time to Act! have been helpful resources to start conversations and establish racial justice initiatives throughout the organization.

What is your relationship to YWCA Minneapolis?

Laurie: I served on the YWCA Minneapolis board of directors for six years, from July of 2013 until June 2019. I was the Chair of It’s Time to Talk: Forums on Race™ in 2015 and have been a strong believer in YWCA’s racial justice work. When the Minnesota Orchestra initiated its diversity, equity and inclusion work several years ago, I encouraged them to see if and how YWCA Minneapolis might be able to help them on the journey. YWCA facilitated several large diversity and inclusion trainings for the Orchestra. I’ve also sponsored an Orchestra table at It’s Time to Talk: Forums on Race for the last four years, an event that has always stimulated thought-provoking and meaningful conversations about race among musicians, staff and board members.

How did you hear about It’s Time to Act!™ Forum Series?

Laurie: Like many It’s Time to Talk attendees, the Orchestra was interested in doing more than convening to talk once a year; they were looking for more frequent opportunities to dig into these issues, and for more guidance on how to take action to address them. When YWCA Minneapolis developed the It’s Time to Act! program, it seemed like a natural way for the Orchestra to ramp up its exploration of these issues. After I heard about the idea at a YWCA board meeting, I shared it with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee and the team jumped on it immediately.

"The Orchestra was interested in doing more than convening to talk once a year; they were looking for more frequent opportunities to dig into these issues, and for more guidance on how to take action to address them."

Did you attend as an individual or as part of a group?

Paula: Laurie and I are both Minnesota Orchestra board members and have served on the DEI Committee almost since its inception four years ago. The DEI Committee helps ensure that the Minnesota Orchestra’s mission to enrich, inspire and serve the community is as inclusive and equitable as possible. The Committee includes musicians, staff and board members and the It’s Time to Act forums seemed like an excellent learning opportunity for the group. Several board members and CEO Michelle Miller Burns went together to buy tickets for a table for the entire 2018/19 series, and a core group of musicians and staff attended all four of the sessions, with others (board members, staff, musicians) joining in when seats were available. Two Minnesota Orchestra staff members had taken YWCA’s facilitator training, so they facilitated discussions pertinent to the Orchestra at each session.

"The DEI Committee helps ensure that the Minnesota Orchestra’s mission to enrich, inspire and serve the community is as inclusive and equitable as possible."

What were the most memorable takeaways from the forum series?

Paula: The forums provided an opportunity for the DEI Committee to gather in small groups, gain information and discuss issues related to the work that we’re doing within the organization and in the community. The post-forum discussions enabled those who attended to get to know each other better and to build the trust necessary for frank discussions of uncomfortable issues around race.The session with Robin DiAngelo on White Fragility was especially impactful for all of us, as individuals and for the DEI Committee. It provided the impetus to start a Racial Justice Learning Group to discuss systemic racism and white privilege further. Staff members, including many who were not on the DEI Committee, also read and discussed Robin DiAngelo’s book in departmental meetings. There was so much interest that the Racial Justice Learning Group has since held monthly hour-long discussions on the causes and impacts of racism, and to discuss what justice might look like individually and in the context of the Minnesota Orchestra.

"There was so much interest that the Racial Justice Learning Group has since held monthly hour-long discussions on the causes and impacts of racism, and to discuss what justice might look like individually and in the context of the Minnesota Orchestra."

Laurie: In addition to what Paula highlighted above, I was heartened to see a core group of Minnesota Orchestra musicians, staff and board committed to delving into and discussing these tough issues after each forum, and then bringing their ideas for action back to the DEI committee. In addition, it’s been inspiring to see people stepping up to lead follow-up initiatives that are outside of their normal responsibilities, and to encourage the organization to take action.

What was your experience with racial justice action planning? How has that carried through in your life?

Paula: Laurie and I have continued to volunteer on the DEI committee, and I have served as co-chair for the past two years. The Orchestra’s leadership is committed to pursuing racial justice work and the organization is moving forward; a multi-year racial equity plan is in the works, starting with organization-wide conversations to generate ideas for experiments/action steps to help the Orchestra deepen and broaden relationships inside the organization and with our increasingly diverse community. It’s Time to Act! continues to be a valuable resource, and a Minnesota Orchestra group will be attending the 2020 forums.

"It’s Time to Act! continues to be a valuable resource, and a Minnesota Orchestra group will be attending the 2020 forums."

Learn more about It’s Time to Act!Learn More about YWCA Racial Justice Programs