In the fall of 2020, the AGO began holding a series of diversity and inclusion training sessions for all employees, led by expert facilitators, including equity advocate Letecia Rose—who gave us new insight on how to create a more equitable workplace. These sessions will be shared with volunteers starting in January, along with opportunities to connect and discuss via our Volunteer Connector calls.

In recent years, many organizations and institutions worldwide have been faced with confronting  systemic oppression. As the public call for progressive policies and practices has amplified since spring 2020, many organizations have pivoted to help usher in this new frontier of equality and inclusion–the AGO included. 

Behind the scenes at the AGO, we’re embarking on our own journey which includes listening, reflecting and embracing an ongoing, refreshed approach to diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility. As part of this, in September 2020 we kicked off an ongoing monthly series of mandatory employee diversity and inclusion training sessions facilitated by distinguished guest instructors. Equity advocate and community engagement specialist Letecia Rose led two sessions on anti-Black racism and consulted with AGO leadership during the hiring process for a new Diversity and Inclusion Manager, set to start in 2021. 

We recently connected with Rose for an important discussion on diversity and inclusion and what that looks like today in an organization like ours.  You can read the full interview, via AGOinsider, here.

For more updates on the the AGO’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and changes made by the Gallery to date, you can read more, https://ago.ca/our-commitment-diversity-inclusion-equity-accessibility