Arizona Opera unequivocally denounces racism. 

We stand with those that demand equality and social justice for black people and for all people of color. We affirm our commitment to the communities we serve today—and to those communities that we can and must serve more fully tomorrow.

Performing arts organizations have a unique ability and responsibility to create a space for inspiration, thought, and discussion.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:

• Arizona Opera will take the time to listen and learn how we can be a better, more inclusive organization.
• We will examine our organization and the practices of our industry to do our part in creating positive, enduring change in the days, weeks, and years to come.

An important part of this process will include engaging in ongoing dialogue with community members. If you have thoughts or suggestions on how Arizona Opera can better serve our community, please send an email to Joseph Specter, President & General Director at jspecter@azopera.org.

To learn more about equity, diversity, and inclusion work in the US opera industry, read the Opera America resources.

Anti-Racism Resources by Black and POC Authors

Books

• The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
• White Rage by Carol Anderson
• Black Opera: History, Power, Engagement by Naomi André
• Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
• Race: A Theological Account (1st Edition) by J. Kameron Carter
• Between the World and Me by Ta-Nahisi Coates
• Anti-Racist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi
• How to be Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
• King and The World by Peter Edwards Matthews
• Dying of Whiteness by Jonathan M. Metzel
• Playing In The Dark by Toni Morrison
• So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
• The Truth About White People by Lola Peters
• Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine
• The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein
• Whistling Vivaldi: And Other Clues to How Stereotypes Affect Us (Issues of Our Time) by Claude M. Steele, PhD
• White People Really Love Salad by Nita Mosley Tyler

Videos

• Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man, Pt. 1 by Emmanuel Acho
• James Baldwin Debates William F. Buckley (1965)
• 13th directed by director Ava DuVernay
• "What if white people led the charge to end racism?" by Nita Mosby Tyler

Articles

• “The Case for Reparations” by Ta-Nehisi Coates
• "How White Women Can Use Their Privilege to End Racism" by Tikia K. Hamilton, Ph.D.
• "Amy Cooper and the White Embrace of Racism" by Danielle Moodie
• "How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change" by Barack Obama
• "Blackout and Speak Out: Black Women in Opera Book Reviews" by Renee Ombaba
• "When Black Women Go From Office Pet to Office Threat" by Erika Stallings
• "Black Employees…What Happens When We Are Not Ok?" by Aleasa Word
• "COVID-19’s Impact on People in Prison"

Other Resources

• The 1619 Project
• Anti-racism Resources
• Black-owned Bookstores
• The Conscious Kid
• Dismantle Collective
• Fiction By Contemporary Black Authors About Navigating White Supremacy
• Holocaust Center for Humanity
• Southern Poverty Law Center