NAfME Equity Resource Center Prologue

For over a century, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) has been at the forefront of advancing music education and supporting music educators across the United States. What began in 1907 as a small gathering of just over 100 music supervisors has evolved into a robust organization serving music educators from pre-kindergarten through university levels, along with collegiate members, Tri-M® students, industry partners, program leaders, and passionate supporters of music education.

Through economic upheavals, wars, natural disasters, societal movements, political shifts, and even a global pandemic, NAfME has persevered, continually adapting to meet the changing needs of its members and their students. Our very name has transformed over the decades, reflecting this ongoing evolution.

At our core, however, one immutable principle has guided NAfME since its inception – ensuring every child has equitable access and opportunity to learn and grow through music education. Our new strategic plan doubles down on this commitment while deeply examining the barriers that hinder this goal. It provides a roadmap for increasing NAfME’s capacity to advocate for truly equitable music education for all students.

NAfME is committed to ensuring that every individual is represented and supported in the pursuit of music education. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) reflects a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of music to bridge divides and foster community.

Historically, NAfME’s approach to DEIAB has evolved significantly as the association has acknowledged a disconnect between our ideals and our actions. This moment of stark realization spurred a journey of introspection and change within NAfME. The Cook-Ross report of 2019 was instrumental in shaping our strategies for cultural transformation. It served as a mirror, reflecting both our strengths and the areas where we needed to mature as an association. With the support of our Equity Committee guiding our path forward, we have widened our circle to include different groups and musical expressions, enriching the educational landscape for our members and the students they serve.

Since then, we have learned and grown immeasurably. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder in 2020, NAfME’s focus on racial equity, which was initially driven by our Equity Committee, expanded to embrace a wider spectrum of DEIAB considerations. We now recognize the multifaceted nature of identity and experience, considering age, class, dis/ability, ethnicity, gender, location, sexuality, race, religion, and more in our ongoing work.

Today, NAfME is not only rectifying past oversights but also setting new standards for what it means to be an equitable and inclusive association. We are actively building a future where DEIAB is woven into the very essence of our work — a future where every member, every student, and every community finds belonging and thrives through the power of music education.

As we continue to grow, we pledge to remain vigilant and responsive to the needs of all who look to NAfME for leadership in music education. We are committed to fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated, equity is achieved, inclusion is the norm, accessibility is guaranteed, and a sense of true belonging is experienced by all.

Central to this plan is the creation of the Equity in Music Education Resource Center. This vital initiative solidifies NAfME’s dedication to developing resources and frameworks that expand fair access to high-quality music instruction. The Center will support diverse curricula, repertoire, and musical opportunities while providing a lens to scrutinize policies and practices through an equity mindset.

As we unveil this new Equity Resource Center, we embrace NAfME’s latest evolution as an organization wholly committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging in music education. Together, we can create lasting positive change and unlock the transformative power of music for every child.

Respectfully,

Dr. Roque Diaz, NAfME Equity Committee Member (2022-2024)

Approved by the NAfME National Executive Board on September 14, 2024