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How many Orange <br />County residents <br />does the organization <br />serve? <br />Musical Empowerment currently serves 150 students in Orange County <br />North Carolina. W e are looking forward to this number growing in the <br />coming school year 2024-2025 as our UNC-CH chapter has grown <br />significantly year to year for the last two decades. <br />Has your <br />organization <br />undergone any <br />Diversity, Equity, and <br />Inclusion (DEI) <br />training? If so, <br />please explain. If not, <br />please explain any <br />barriers that have <br />prevented you from <br />receiving this <br />training. <br />Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are interwoven in our mission and <br />strategic plan. W e have initiated partnerships with The Equity Paradigm, <br />The Refugee Support Network, and Racial Equity Institute to provide the <br />following: document translations for Spanish and Karen (Burmese) <br />speaking families, a community racial equity workshop, culturally <br />responsive teaching seminars, board training and continuing education for <br />staff. A free DEI library was created for use by the staff, board and <br />community to check in-out books as needed. <br />Since 2018 Musical Empowerment has been in a contract with The Equity <br />Paradigm, a Black and woman-owned consulting firm from Durham, NC that <br />specializes in racial equity training. The relationship with this firm began <br />with an organizational assessment and has grown to include board training, <br />community workshops, organizational Q&A sessions, and documentation <br />audits to evaluate for inclusive language. In April of 2020, the board worked <br />together to develop our own DEI pledge and incorporated DEI into our <br />strategic plan with a commitment to continue growing and learning as an <br />organization. <br />**Musical Empowerment's DEI Pledge: Through music and mentorship, we <br />at Musical Empowerment commit to engaging in a proactive dialogue <br />regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. W e will embrace ongoing <br />opportunities to listen, learn and grow in order to strengthen our anti-racist <br />organization and work toward an equitable society.** <br />In 2023, 66% of our children served were people of color (39% Hispanic, <br />16% Black, 16% Asian, 4% Multiracial). Also in 2023, 100% of our eight <br />college chapters were led by at least one co-president who identified as <br />people of color and 80% of our chapters were led by women and 51% of all <br />leadership members identifying as POC. <br />W e are proud to have a diverse board of directors and staff. In January <br />2023, Ayeza Nxumalo was elected as the first black woman board chair. <br />Under her leadership, ME continues the commitment to learn and grow <br />together. The ME Board of Directors Chair and 39% of the directors <br />identify as people of color. The board is composed of 5 women and 3 men <br />with ages varying from grad student to retiree. Diverse lived experiences of <br />Musical Empowerment board members include: low income childhood, <br />single parents, a refugee, first generation college graduates. 100% of our <br />board members have a shared commitment to continuously improve <br />diversity, equity and inclusion at Musical Empowerment. W e should also <br />note that our two staff members are women who identify as black and bi- <br />racial. <br />Our other DEI efforts include: <br />-Fall 2023 rollout of new M.U.S.I.C. curriculum booklets that feature <br />culturally responsive content such as composers of color and music from <br />around the world. <br />Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766