Updates from the Chief Diversity Officer
January, 2023
Dear Milwaukee Rep Community,
Happy New Year!
In April I was hired as Milwaukee Rep’s new Chief Diversity Officer. These past few months have been busy and exciting as Milwaukee Rep continues living our REP Forward plan. I’m pleased to provide my first update to our Rep Community.
During my first months as Chief Diversity Officer, I met with staff to obtain a pulse on the progress of the REP Forward plan and present Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) opportunities for staff engagement and participation. Although early in my journey in this role, I could see and hear the passion of staff who genuinely cared for the well-being of this organization.
Champions Uniting Experience (CUE)
Is Milwaukee Rep’s work group comprised of staff from across the company that leads in implementing our REP Forward plan. Below is a recap of some of their recent activities.
Cultural Celebrations
In May 2022, Champions Uniting Experience (CUE) work group hosted an Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) month celebration. During this cultural celebration, staff ventured to the Jewish Museum Milwaukee where they were provided a tour and learned about the history of AANHPI. Thereafter, staff traveled back to the Milwaukee Rep where they indulged in AANHPI cuisine, and were invited to view the AANHPI closing ceremony hosted by the White House and collaborating partners (National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities and Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center) which showcased the diversity, talents, national trailblazers, and artistic performances associated with the AANHPI culture.
In the month of June, CUE attended the 51st Annual Juneteenth Celebration. For most of the staff, this was their first time attending the celebration, and they were delighted to see many people from diverse backgrounds. The celebration took place on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (between Center and Burleigh Street). Vendors, business display tables, and a parade that highlighted the African American culture were highlights of the day. Additionally, the celebration featured many of our state and local elected officials including Governor Tony Evers, Lt.Governor Mandela Barnes, State Senator Lena Taylor, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, and Alderwoman MileleCoggs. Drummers walked the course of the celebration route beating their drums and encouraged attendees to participate in cultural rhythmic dances. It was truly an experience that had to be witnessed in person. We look forward to additional Rep staff participation next year.
During Hispanic Heritage Month in October, the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Department along with CUE hosted a panel discussion that focused on personal identity and colorism in the Hispanic community. Milwaukee Rep Trustee, Andrés Gonzalez (Vice-President, Community Engagement and Chief Diversity officer for Froedtert Health), Gladys Manzanet, (Senior Director of Field Diversity & Inclusion, Northwestern Mutual), and Dr. Silvia Noemi Bautista Morrobel, DDS, (Aspen Dental) discussed the topic: “The Many Faces of Hispanic Heritage”. The panel explored and provided examples of colorism in the Hispanic community, its impact on personal identity, and within our network and organizations. The conversation sparked interest and involvement in future initiatives.
In November, I was invited as a guest speaker for the First-Generation Career Connections program hosted by Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). This opportunity provided an opportunity to engage with students seeking to embark on a career journey. Additionally, it allowed me to publicly announce the community partnership pathway between MATC and Milwaukee Repertory Theater to diversify our talent in future employment opportunities.
REP Forward Update
While highlighting various cultures and presenting available community events for Rep staff participation, I continued to engage employees in the workplace—listening to their needs, continuing to provide a safe environment for expression, heeding any concerns, and elevating them to Rep leadership. I presented an assessment of my engagement with staff after my completion of 90 days of employment, sharing positives and opportunities for improvement with the leadership team (Executive Director, Artistic Director and department heads). Although this assessment was at the beginning of my tenure with the organization, I noted a resonating sentiment and excitement of staff as they wanted to know where the organization is trending.
Evaluating the Work
To conclude the calendar year, an ED&I survey was provided to all staff in December 2022. This was an important step in understanding staff perspectives and experiences related to our REP Forward plan and their employment at Milwaukee Rep. The survey was designed to gain an understanding by learning about our internal perceptions and experiences related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
As we move forward, quarterly updates will be provided on the progress of our REP Forward plan and other ED&I initiatives at Milwaukee Repertory Theater. During 2023 our priorities will focus on:
- Hiring practices (recruitment of diverse talent)
- Staff training
- Workplace culture
- Internal audits, and
- Internal/External partnership engagement
Have a safe and enjoyable 2023!
Jermaine Murry, Chief Diversity Officer