Enrich Chicago unveils the findings of the first racial equity report since the global health pandemic, social uprisings against state violence, and the resurgence of labor organizing pressed upon the arts and culture industry to reflect on anti-racist commitments in the years following 2020. At a virtual presentation today attended by cultural community members, Enrich Chicago Director Nina Sánchez was joined by the Creative Equity Research team lead Dr. Anh Thang Dao-Shah to present the key questions and methodology guiding the survey and work of focus groups, an executive summary of survey results, and recommendations from BIPOC arts leaders to strengthen change efforts moving forward. Three years after the June 2020 murder of George Floyd sparked a racial awakening and led organizations to declare their commitment to equity, Enrich Chicago’s ongoing work with network organizations explores at the impact of those statements on the lives of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) individuals, as well as other marginalized communities. Through conversations and workshops, Enrich Chicago’s network organizations have implemented changes such as transitioning to tuition-free arts education programming, implementing shared leadership models, and eliminating unpaid internship programs; foundations have introduced peer review grant making panels. To read the report, visit www.enrichchi.org.

Photo Credit: Enrich Chicago