Warner Music launches Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Institute

WMG says the global institute, which is a first for the music industry, will be used as a central point of “innovation, learning and action within the company”. It will produce several educational initiatives, including the company’s Movement DEI education series, which is a revolving set of dialogue-based workshops “where people at WMG learn, grow and reflect together on key aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion, including anti-racism, ableism, homophobia and sexism”.

The institute will also host the Inclusive Leadership Series for executives at the company, led by experts Dr Stephanie Creary of the Wharton School of Business and Insead’s Dr Zoe Kinias. Its 2022 programme will offer expert advice from authors Roxane Gay and Dr Mark Anthony Neal of Duke University. The project has partnered with organisations including OutRight Action International, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the National Disability Institute, the Global Indigenous Council and the Global Fund for Women.

DEI will feature an innovation lab that will accelerate new strategies to enhance equity, diversity and inclusion internally, while providing opportunities for emerging leaders to showcase their skills and capabilities, WMG said.

Employees will be invited to pitch an idea for a new project or a DEI-related initiative to a panel of DEI leaders, who will then select one or two projects biannually to support or help find a sponsor. Employees across the organisation will have the opportunity to apply to participate on the project team, enhancing cross-cultural and cross-business collaboration and continuing to help drive DEI change-making.

WMG says its first DEI global head, Dr Maurice Stinnett, and the global DEI team are working to “build local implementation DEI plans, tailored to regional needs and challenges, as well as to foster links to social impact initiatives that benefit marginalised communities”.

“Warner Music Group is taking a bold step toward inclusion, equity and lasting change by institutionalising this hub of training and innovation,” Stinnett said. “As a company, we continue to reflect internally and build the roadmap ahead toward more equity and inclusion, and this institute will help drive this imperative work”.

WMG CEO Steve Cooper said: “It’s not enough to just acknowledge problematic histories or the resulting discrimination and miseducation that remain in place. We’ve got to actively break them down and build up new, equitable, inclusive environments where all people can belong – and we’ve got to do it together.