Valecia McDowell served as Cultural Equity Report Contributor for ASC report

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) co-head of the White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations practice and member of the firm’s Management Committee, Valecia McDowell served as one of the Cultural Equity Report Contributors for the Arts & Science Council’s (ASC) Cultural Equity Report 2020, which was released to the community on February 23. Additionally, Valecia currently serves as an ASC Board Member and is immediate past board chair.

ASC states, “Systemic, inequitable access to opportunity has led to generations of unjust outcomes in Charlotte-Mecklenburg for those historically excluded from mainstream arts and cultural funding, discourse, leadership and resource allocation – particularly Black residents, Black-led organizations and residents and organizations of color. ASC has been complicit in upholding funding practices that elevate certain cultures, creative traditions, identities and art forms above others. This is unacceptable and can no longer remain the case.

Our intent is that this report honestly reflects the steps – and missteps – we have taken on our path to becoming an organization where our commitment to equity is reflected in everything we do, from our investments in the cultural community to the make-up of our staff and board. This analysis will direct ASC’s cultural equity journey in the coming year and guide decision-making in all aspects of our work, while also providing a framework for measuring our progress year-over-year and holding ourselves accountable to the community.”

To read the Arts & Science Council’s Cultural Equity Report 2020, please click here.