ABOUT
Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
Creating practices, policies, and organizational changes at USC Thornton that support and reflect the values of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Creating Change
While actively fostering intellectual and creative exploration, innovative approaches and connections with the world, USC Thornton also recognizes it is imperative for musicians and scholars to acknowledge systemic racism and the historical exclusion of marginalized peoples in music and to do the required work of reconciliation and repair.
Thornton’s Pledge
USC Thornton is committed to preparing students to create and perform the music of the past, present, and future from a socially and politically-engaged, critically-informed, and community-driven perspective. Read our commitment pledge for specifics and next steps.
J.E.D.I. Committee
With the collective input of our faculty, students and administration, the J.E.D.I. committee develops strategies and measures progress in key change areas such as curriculum; recruitment and retention for both students and faculty; and the climate for BIPOC members at Thornton.
Current Committee Members
Ron McCurdy, J.E.D.I. Committee Assistant Dean
Lina Bahn
Nicolas Lell Benavides
Angelica Brooks
Viet Bui
Christian Chico
William Coppola
Jeanine Cowen
Jeffrey de Caen
Sean Holt
Lyndia Johnson
Larry J. Livingston
Kevin Lyman
Gene Pak
Lynne Snyder
Tram Sparks
Scott Spencer
Matthew Weaver
Mark Weiser
Seth Parker Woods
From Tragedy to Triumph
From Tragedy to Triumph was an interactive, student-led series about the African diaspora told through discussion with film, dance and music. Organized by USC Thornton Professor and Assistant Dean of the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee Ron McCurdy, each event of the seven-part series was produced in creative collaboration among student and faculty composers, dancers, filmmakers, musicians and writers from across the university.