Come As You Are | Kennedy Center

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, & Belonging

草莓视频免费版app is a welcoming and inclusive culture where everyone benefits—we do it in a way that honors everyone’s humanity. Through honest discussion, and our focus on DEIAB, we are committed to always being the best versions of ourselves.

Belonging is important

Deborah Rutter

President of the Kennedy Center

“President Kennedy said this: 'We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth.' Especially in these times of pandemic, war and depravity, …

inequity and division, we seek truth desperately, and never with more urgency. The Arts—in all its many forms across the centuries—has held up the mirror to society. At its highest potential, the Arts aims to be a path to truth and a bridge to knowledge and understanding. 草莓视频免费版app feels the gravity of our role on the international stage, and equally, a deep sense of responsibility to embrace and lift up America’s defining asset: our diversity within.”

Lucia Borelli

Director of Auxiliary Services

“Everyone has their own views, knowledge, and perspectives on things. Bringing these together can lead to creativity.”

Scott Bushnell

Director of Creative & Brand Strategy

“As the National Cultural Center, our work serves all of America. So it is vital that our staff is a reflection of the diverse ideas and talents of our country.”

Steven Dawson

Senior Marketing Manager

“As an arts professional, I recognize the immense value in having various voices from disparate backgrounds together in the arts…and that extends to the arts marketing fields.”

Ellen Palmer

Director of Corporate Relations

“I believe diversity on our teams, and in our backgrounds and experiences, is essential to our success in better understanding our donors, engaging with our community, …

Fostering a workplace where Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging are celebrated and encouraged.

At the Kennedy Center, we strive to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We are committed to ensuring a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace where staff feel that they belong and can be their most authentic selves. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, & Belonging (DEIAB) are core to how we conduct business. We are able to advance our mission because of our committed and passionate employees and are fortunate to be able to leverage their diverse perspectives, life experiences and skills to inform how our workplace can be a safe, transparent, and replenishing community.

We aspire to achieve the following ongoing goals:

Close representation gaps for historically underrepresented groups.
Advance common understanding, shared experiences and mutual respect.
Report diversity metrics and progress annually.
Increase diversity in our talent pool through continued partnerships.
Grow our Employee Resource Group (ERG) community.

As part of these efforts, we support the following internal DEIAB programs:

DEIAB Council - Composed of passionate, dedicated staff members, the Council aims to ensure the Kennedy Center’s culture, policies, and procedures support diversity across the organization.
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) - These employee-led groups are composed of employees who share a characteristic, whether it's gender, ethnicity, religious affiliation, lifestyle, or interest. The groups exist to provide support and help in personal or career development and to create a safe space where employees can bring their whole selves to the table. Allies may also be invited to join the ERG to support their colleagues. Our current groups include:

KC Pride – Mission Statement: To foster an environment in which all LGBTQ+ KC employees, artists, and visitors feel empowered to live as their most authentic selves.
The Black Light - Mission Statement: A collective of Kennedy Center employees who identify as Black/African American aiming to cultivate a space for open dialogue, resource sharing, networking, professional development, and community enrichment. This group will serve as an opportunity to decompress, explore fun and joy.
Adelante - Mission Statement: Adelante, the Latinx ERG of the Kennedy Center, works to ensure that the cultural diversity of the Latinx community and fullness of the Latinx experience in the United States is represented and amplified in the Nation’s Performing Arts Center. Adelante’s mission is two-fold: (1) to empower the Latinx community at the Kennedy Center through a collaborative network that promotes professional development, talent recruitment & retention, Latinx programming, and advancement as well as (2) to advocate for the needs and inclusion of Latinx communities outside of the Center through bilingual materials, programming, and outreach.
The Golden Collective - Mission Statement: The AAPI ERG provides employees with the tools and resources to be authentically themselves within the Kennedy Center. Professional events and community activities are offered to members seeking to develop and contribute their work skills and personal growth.
Moonwalkers - Mission Statement: This group represents the remote workforce and acts as an advocate for remote/hybrid working arrangements. Our mission is to provide education, guidance, and strategies to leadership on how to effectively manage and support remote/hybrid staff, promote inclusivity and engagement among remote/hybrid employees, share best practices and resources in relation to remote/hybrid work and successful team collaboration, and advocate for remote/hybrid-friendly policies and social technology.
aKCess - Mission Statement: aKCess, the disability ERG at the Kennedy Center, is a community of disabled employees, caregivers, and allies working to create a culture of belonging and understanding in the workplace. We aim to breakdown the stigma surrounding disability and educate the Kennedy Center on how best to engage with, support, include and accommodate all of our employees and co-workers with disabilities and caregivers in our workforce. Disability is a broad umbrella that covers a variety of lived experiences. All employees with apparent, physical, and/or sensory conditions, as well as non-apparent conditions like anxiety, ADHD, chronic illness/pain, PTSD, dyslexia, neurodivergence, and more – as well as disability allies – are invited to join aKCess.
The Kinfolk Collective - Mission Statement: This group strives to create community among current and prospective parents and caregivers. We come together to share resources, experiences, information, and are a voice of support for each other. We work to represent parents’ and caregivers' needs and perspectives in the organization and influence policies and practices that will create a family-friendly environment that supports employees who serve as parents and caregivers.

DEIAB Book Club – Our KC book club meets regularly to discuss books meant to expand perspectives and open minds.
Lunch & Learns Series - Throughout the month, special guest speakers are invited to discuss various DEIAB topics, initiatives, and to help spread awareness.