Diversity & Inclusion Follow-Up Plan

Several weeks ago, we at Conn-Selmer issued a statement condemning the systemic racial injustice that we have all seen so painfully broadcast in the media and witnessed personally in our own communities.

But as we all know, making a statement – be it powerful or be it benign – isn’t enough. Remember our collective schooling where we were all taught that actions speak louder than words…

At Conn-Selmer, we subscribe to this notion that actions matter, and it’s only through collective action that we can begin to address the damage perpetrated by centuries of racism.

Before detailing some of our initial steps below, we are reminded that as humans we all speak the language of music. And, as members of the music community, we know diversity and inclusion are not only central to cultivating artistic expression but fundamental to discussing topics too complex for language alone. The time for equality in America and around the world is now, and we believe that our journey can be fortified by leveraging the universal language of music.

We recognize that the following actions are not enough, but rather serve as a starting point on our path. This plan will evolve over time and we will provide updates as we quantify our progress, outline new initiatives and lobby for change.

Internal Initiatives

Conn-Selmer is designing a robust diversity plan that begins with education and a comprehensive audit of our employee base. This data will be used to set tangible goals for growth as we prepare to increase the diversity of our workforce now and in the future. We are also planning an internship program in partnership with HBCU schools to develop a great pool of diverse candidates for future positions at Conn-Selmer.

External Actions for Education

The Conn-Selmer Division of Education is an industry leader, providing continuing education programs, services, and advocacy for music education around the globe. Tangible steps to promote diversity that we are taking include:

Created a $5,000.00 scholarship with the United Negro College Fund
Awarded 24 Scholarships to HBCU students to attend CSI Connect
Provided a $10,000 grant to cover all costs of event management for HBCU National Band Directors Consortium Virtual Convention
Increasing the number Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) available to our roster of educational clinicians
Invested Conn-Selmer Stimulus funds to defer the entire cost of admission to the HBCU conference ($100 per director; $50 per student)

External Actions for our Artists and Brands

We will continue to amplify marginalized or underrepresented artists in our industry – with a focus towards: people of color (BIPOC), people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, and womxn. Utilizing our platform of iconic global brands, we will promote those artists who best represent today’s diverse and inclusive world focused on artistic innovation, entrepreneurship, and of course, musical excellence.

In Closing

We thank everyone who has offered thoughts, feedback, and pushed us to become our best selves. We may make mistakes along the way and want to be held accountable for our actions. We are open to engaging in dialogue and welcome your feedback on our collective journey to make a real and lasting difference.

Stephen Zapf
President & CEO
Conn-Selmer, Inc.