Today, Starbucks closed 8,000 company-owned stores to conduct racial bias training with staff. The move has elicited a wide array of responses from Fox News’ cynicism to the smartly opportunistic response of small black-owned coffee shops. The shops are encouraging patrons to give them a try this afternoon. The issues of inequity and discrimination are enormous and historic, so it is right to remind us that one afternoon does not a sea change make. On the other hand, an investment of this scope demonstrates a level of commitment—lost revenue and employee “productivity”—to the task, which, if continued, should be lauded. Given the critical need to improve the world AND business practices, on-the-job trainings create space and time for extended engagement.

This week, GBCA bids farewell to Kylee Johnson, our Bookkeeper/Office Manager. Kylee recently accepted a new position that focuses on her passion: building social justice in the prison system. She has been a wonderful part of the GBCA team and we will dearly miss her even as we wish her well. As we conduct a search for Kylee’s replacement, Thomas Beckwith has stepped in to the job in the interim. Please join us in welcoming Thomas.

Did you know that Urban Arts Leadership alumni are working in full-time jobs at a number of exciting cultural organizations including Maryland Citizens for the Arts, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the National Museum for Women in the Arts? And that others are pursuing their own businesses or graduate school? If you are a recent, or soon to be college graduate and are looking for ways to accelerate your arts administration career while helping to build greater equity in the cultural workplace, you should consider applying for a spot in the 2018-2019 Urban Arts Leadership cohort. Applications for this unique and powerful program are open through the month of June.

Have a great shortened week,

Jeannie