Diversify The Stage Launches Inclusion Initiative

An announcement from the organization notes that Black, Indigenous, Latin/Hispanic, Asian, and Pacific Islander Identifying persons, as well as Women of all backgrounds and identities, Gender Nonconforming and Non-Binary Individuals, LGBTQIA2+ and disabled persons are drastically underrepresented in the industry. 

Organizations including UTA, WME, CAA, Wasserman, ICM, Live Nation, C3 Presents, AEG Presents, TAIT, Touring Professionals Alliance, Omalilly Projects, TMWRK; NIVA and NIVF have pledged to help address this critical issue by creating and utilizing a pipeline of professionals from these historically underrepresented groups. Diversify The Stage is encouraging organizations to use the recommendations aimed toward inclusion, diversity, equity and access objectives “during recruitment, talent bookings, on-boarding, retention, promotion, rewards, benefits programs, succession planning and off-boarding procedures.”

Folks in the business can help take the first step to bring about positive change by taking the DTS inclusion pledge at www.diversifythestage.org/dtsinclusioninitiative

“The tremendous efforts of everyone involved in this process thus far has been incredibly inspiring,” Noelle Scaggs, of Fitz & The Tantrums and founder of Diversify The Stage, said in a statement. “This collective push will encourage other artists to look at our touring businesses through a new lens, to see where we may have greater impact; but also, by creating safe spaces for our fans, care for our crews and everyone who works behind the scenes to make these shows come to life. I look forward to seeing how the goals of this initiative will help move the needle towards a more inclusive, fair, and equitable live events and production industry.”