The mission of the Belonging, Equity, Inclusion & Diversity Committee is to make ATCA an organization that welcomes critics from a wide range of life experiences and perspectives. We invest in training members in equity, diversity, and inclusion in order to critically serve underrepresented communities with culturally competent reviews of their work. This is a long-term effort.
The Committee was originally formed as the Diversity and Inclusion Committee in March 2018 by co-chairs Kelundra Smith and Martha Wade Steketee at the Intersections Summit hosted at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In July 2020, the committee changed its name to the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee under co-chairs David John Chávez and Kelundra Smith. And in September 2021 the name was expanded again under new chair Karen Topham to the Belonging, Equity, Inclusion & Diversity Committee.
We are comprised of critics and numerous supporters and advisors across the country who share a passion for documenting the important work of our day.