LODC DEI Statement

The Language of Dance Center believes in the value of the arts, specifically dance, as a universal language. We are striving to create socially just learning environments that are reflective of the various community's demographics and that affirm and practice the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, self care and access through the various roles and responsibilities we have in all our work.

We respect all communities with which we work and strive for ongoing reflection on patterns of racism, sexism, heterosexism, cis-sexism, classism, ableism, nativism, ageism, religious, body type and other forms of discrimination and oppression that can negatively affect the participants in our programs and practice.

We strive to create Socially Just Learning Environments through on-going practice, reflection and assessment in the following areas:

• Dance: providing and valuing a multiplicity of dance forms and artistic genres from around the world.
  
• Schools and Classrooms: creating learning curricula, processes, and environments that model and address diversity, equity, inclusion and access.
  
• Staffing: hiring a diversity of artists, educators, staff and board who are demographically representative of the communities we serve and conscientiously committed to elevating equity in their work.
  
• Community Partnerships: creating authentic and mutually beneficial relationships and collaborations.
  
• Work Environment: building a culture that provides professional development and ongoing reflection on eliminating bias and creating equity in our internal- and external-facing work.