Over the summer, in response to the events surrounding the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement, a group of faculty and students formed the University of Missouri School of Music Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Collective (MU SOM IDE Collective). This group has worked voluntarily to gather resources, engage students in discussion, and create real and sustainable change in the areas of IDE at the MU School of Music.

This fall, we will formalize a new committee to continue work with MU SOM IDE Collective, focused on several key areas including:

• Support for our diverse School of Music faculty, students and staff
• Provide access to resources and opportunities
• Improve recruitment and retention of diverse faculty, students and staff
• Scholarship and financial support
• Curriculum modifications and development

Recently, the MU SOM IDE Collective held its first public event, a discussion group featuring the documentary “Field of Vision: Concerned Student 1950” and “Black Mizzou: Music and Stories One Year Later” by Dr. Stephanie Shonekan, from Black Lives Matter and Music : Protest, Intervention, Reflection, featuring our new Associate Dean of the College or Arts and Science, Dr. Stephanie Shonekan.

For information of future events, be sure to check the MU School of Music website and social media pages. For more information on the MU SOM IDE Collective or to get involved, please contact MU SOM IDE Collective leader, Professor Collins at Amanda.Collins@missouri.edu.

*The next reading discussion is on August 12th from 7pm-8pm. See below flyer for more info!