DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Click here to learn how equity shows up in our Core Values.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT

We welcome all members of the community to participate, volunteer and support our young artists. We recognize that Portland has a history of racial and economic segregation that has and continues to harm citizens of color. We acknowledge the harm that institutional racism and systems of economic oppression inflict on our community. We believe it is the responsibility of those with privilege to actively work against those systems. We invite and ask our young artists to provide feedback and become leaders within the organization. We provide training to students to become teachers of our programs. We learn from all perspectives and use them to shape our programs and organization.

My Voice Music acknowledges and honors personal histories, cultural values, socioeconomic status, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and, in general, the specific stories of every person in our community. We believe personal experiences and perspectives are an essential and integral part of the artistic journey. 

MVM recognizes the importance of other perspectives and actively seeks to include and learn from individuals with diverse life experiences. We continually reflect on our existence within a culture that marginalizes people. We are committed to working in collaboration with the communities we serve, hiring individuals from all communities as well as hiring youth who have come up through My Voice Music’s classes. 

We acknowledge that we exist in a system that affects different populations in very different ways. We acknowledge that as an organization we will always have room to grow. We are committed to continually examining our role in both perpetuating and fighting against ideas, practices, policies, and systems that marginalize and isolate individuals and entire cultural groups. We commit to continually aligning our policies and practices to reflect new areas of learning and growth that will advance racial equity, inclusion, and freedom of expression.

MVM VALUES STATEMENT

Community

We believe that being a part of a community is transformative and empowering.

We recognize that Portland has a history of racial and economic segregation that disrupts community and continues to harm citizens of color. We acknowledge the harm that institutional racism and systems of economic oppression inflict upon our community. We believe it is the responsibility of those with privilege to actively work against those systems.

We acknowledge that for survivors of trauma or individuals who are experiencing mental health challenges joining a new “community” can be overwhelming.  We are responsive to the needs and feedback of our community. 

Relationship

We believe that positive, long-term relationships provide guidance, break down feelings of isolation, and foster a sense of social accountability.

We understand that relationships are built by listening. We seek to actively listen to all voices, with particular attention to those that have been historically and/or are currently silenced, and incorporate those voices in guiding our programming and organizational decisions.

We understand that in order to establish and maintain a healthy relationship, vulnerability is required. Our program model is designed to normalize the artistic process, which is intrinsically one of continued vulnerability.  Through the normalizing of “failure” and accountability as part of the artistic process, we model the process, we walk with students at their pace and in their own voice, and we set the stage for vulnerability and relationship.

Education

We believe that learning opportunities, paired with a desire for knowledge, empowers individuals and enriches the community at large.

We understand that our students have assets and skills that are often unrecognized. As such we use Student Centered, Strength Based, and Trauma Informed approaches in all aspects of our work; rejecting the deficit model of thinking. We also believe in the importance of learning from those whose experiences might differ from our own.

At our best, MVM is a place for youth to show up and to simply be themselves – as they define that to be.

Art

We believe in the ability of the arts to inspire and connect individuals, and that arts education has the power to equip all people with tools for lifelong learning.

Youth must see examples of artists that reflect the diversity of humans. People with all different life experiences contribute to art and music, leadership, and cultural progress. We must actively represent and learn from diverse perspectives.

Trust

We believe successful relationships are built on a foundation of trust. We are committed to a level of professionalism, vulnerability, and transparency that fosters trust in all of our relationships.

Our programs intend to create relationships that foster resilience and celebrate youth strengths. We provide opportunities for young people to progress from seeing themselves as capable of being recipients of programs, to being capable of facilitating change in their own lives, and providing and facilitating programs and services to their community.

We acknowledge that having a positive adult role model increases a child’s level of resilience. As such, we meet each youth where they are at culturally, emotionally, and developmentally in order to foster long-term mentoring relationships.

Experience

We believe experiences that are engaging, relevant, and challenging can connect with individuals in a unique way and teach skills that can be used for a lifetime.

We see young people as the change makers in their own life and their communities. MVM provides experiences that create the infrastructure for youth to find that voice that will guide their transformation.