BPO Diversity Council
The BPO formed the Diversity Council in May 2016, formalizing its longstanding commitment to present diverse programming, to support artists of color, and to engage with every part of the Western New York community in a meaningful way. Comprised of community leaders, BPO staff, and musicians, the Council is helping the BPO foster greater diversity in the classical music world. As a first step, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra signed Mayor Byron Brown’s Opportunity Pledge in July 2016. Since then, the Council has been involved in numerous projects aimed at increasing authentic community connections and access to the Buffalo Philharmonic for all of Buffalo.
Diversity Council Members
Rev. Dr. Melody I. Rutherford
BPO Diversity Council Chair
Michele Agosto
Hassan Al-Mufti
Sheila Brown
Janz Castelo
Nikki Chooi
Jody Covington
Tammy Curry
Rick Fleming
Dan Hart
Mary Ruth Kapsiak
Fernanda Lastra
Cindy Abbott Letro
Robin Parkinson
Ella Robinson
Casimiro Rodriguez
Rev. Jonathan Staples
Steve Swift
In Memoriam
Otis N. Glover
Council members attending the 2017 BPO Gala.
Our Commitment
We believe that access to the power of music is the right of every individual. Music is a unifier. Its deep and compelling impact moves across generations, cultures, genders and socio-economic classes.
Our Goals
Our goals reflect our commitment to present diverse programming, to support artists of color, and to engage with every part of the Western New York community in a meaningful way.
Our Actions
We aim to align our actions with our goals and track our intentional progress towards a more inclusive organization.