In May 2020 the realities of systemic inequity, injustice and racism in America were once again laid bare by the murder of George Floyd. That summer, the CSO created a 10-point DEI Action Plan to prioritize the Orchestra’s work to better represent and serve the entirety of the Cincinnati community. Action items included the continued amplification of BIPOC artists on stage and in education programs; a review of hiring and compensation practices; organization-wide implicit bias training; increased mentorship opportunities; and the creation of a standing CSO Community Advisory Council (CAC) to strengthen ties to the community. We thank our many partners on the CAC and on our standing DE&I committee who are helping us with this important work.

CSO Board of Directors 
DE&I Committee

Charla B. Weiss, Lead
Heather Apple
Ralph Brown
Adrian Cunningham
Maria Espinola
Delores Hargrove-Young
Lisa Kelly
David Kirk*
Gerron McKnight
Lisa Lennon Norman
Jack Rouse
Lisa Sampson
Stephanie Smith

*Community Volunteer

Primary Staff Liaison: Harold Brown
Other Staff Members: Tiffany Cooper, Kyle Wynk-Sivashankar