Mission
*New Ballet brings children and youth together from diverse backgrounds by providing equitable access to excellence in dance training.
The New Ballet Family includes people of all backgrounds, those who identify as Black, of color, LGBTQ+ as well as those at the intersections. Our founding mission statement*, written in 2004, is a mandate to be mindful and to exercise equity and love as we advocate for our students, families, staff and Board.
In order to assure equity for the generations of youth and leaders to come, the Board of Directors has elected to add a permanent Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee. Amber Floyd and Dustin James are the Co-Chairs. We will keep our constituents apprised of the work as we progress. Parent and student involvemement and outreach will be integral to our success.
For more information, please contact frontdesk [at] newballet [dot] org .
Anti-Racism Resources
Anti-Racism Resources - From our partners at the National Guild for Community Arts Education. Learn more about the Guild.
Implicit Bias Survey
All of us hold implicit associations about race, gender, sexual orientation, and other topics. We are learning from Dr. Michael Lowe of Shelby County Schools and are grateful for his support and his recommendation to participate in this survey (below).
Join us in learning more here.
MLK Student Learning Guide
This material was developed by our friend, partner and supporter, Paula Barker, who worked with a group of PTO partners and others from her community to create a MLK learning guide – based on the life and teachings of MLK.
Ms. Barker is Senior Executive Assistant for Events and Administration, Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, UCC, Cleveland, Ohio.
Resources for Self-Care and Conversations with Children on Race and Racism
Emotionally Restorative Self-Care for People of Color
Children's books to support conversations around racism:
Resources for white parents to raise anti-racist children:
- Books:
- Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners: books for children and young adults
- 31 Children's books to support conversations on race, racism and resistance
- Podcasts:
- Parenting Forward podcast episode ‘Five Pandemic Parenting Lessons with Cindy Wang Brandt’
- Fare of the Free Child podcast
- Articles:
- PBS’s Teaching Your Child About Black History Month
- Your Kids Aren't Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup from Pretty Good
Articles to read: