Lead the Change

Remembering George Floyd

Painting of a person with fist raised and a crowd of people protesting in the background

The paradigm of how to talk about race and society has shifted in our country since the George Floyd tragedy three years ago today, combined with many other horrific events.

As a community music school, we have a responsibility to our students. And we have a responsibility to shape the culture of our organization. 

  • We do this through music as a vehicle to lead the change.
  • We do this by being committed. MacPhail is committed to creating policies, practices, programs, and opportunities that embed DEI throughout the organization.
  • We do this by being intentional. We are creating a workplace culture that drives innovation and success.
  • We do this through our DEI Action Plan, focusing on four key areas: Institutional Structure, Ongoing Practices, Daily Learning, Support

As we look to the future, we must remember this is forever work. TOGETHER WE STAND UNITED. Please check our video, “Lead the Change,” created by our Global Music Initiatives Director, Christopher Rochester, and MacPhail colleagues, amplifying why music is a vehicle to lead the change. (for more information, visit our DEI webpage)

Best regards,
MacPhail Center for Music

Image Credit: “BLM Painting” by Sarina C., age 17

Lead the Change video, directed by Christopher Rochester, narrated by LA Buckner

About DEI at MacPhail, with Sr. Director of DEI, Roque Diaz

Roque's headshot

Roque Diaz, PhD

Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A first-generation Puerto Rican college graduate, Dr. Diaz has shaped his career goals and qualifications by combining leadership, administration, scholarship, teaching, and performance through nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, and K-12 school teaching in multiple countries. Dr. Diaz joined MacPhail Center for Music as the Director of School Partnerships in 2018, and currently guides the Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as the Senior Director of DEI. Dr. Diaz’s journey as a historically excluded person of color in predominantly white spaces underlies his commitment to assuring more inclusive, culturally diverse, and relevant experiences through the lens of DEI. As a trumpeter, Dr. Diaz has performed with major international orchestras and continues to perform orchestral, chamber, contemporary, Latin, jazz and other music. Read more…

For questions, comments, or concerns, Roque can be reached at 612.321.0100 or email [email protected]

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