FAI 2026: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
January 21-25, 2026
- FAI 2026
- Artists
- Attending
- partners
Cultural Equity Council
Background
At the heart of FAI’s stated community and organizational values is an intentional and ongoing effort to ensure a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible folk music industry, free of racism, harassment, and discrimination. To address, encourage, and implement change in the folk community, FAI committed to a now eight-year process of self-examination, training, and outreach to make necessary changes and nurture a more representative membership.
Announced in 2020 in conjunction with the release of FAI’s draft cultural equity statement, and following a year of internal training with BIPOC**-owned Team Dynamics, we are thrilled to introduce FAI’s Cultural Equity Council. The Council is a formal arms-length listening body independent of the FAI Board and staff with the goal to make equity recommendations to inform FAI’s new strategic plan, moving from initiatives to policy. FAI is committed to accountable engagement of community members and provides honorariums for all equity-related work when asking BIPOC** and marginalized people to represent their unique perspectives. Select board and staff (including the Executive Director) participate in a non-voting capacity to provide context and administrative support.
Cultural Equity Council 1.0 Activities 2020-2022
- Observed online Affinity Group sessions (March 1-4, 2022) designed for community input
- Surveyed community regarding equity issues, experiences, and perspectives
- Conducted an online Town Hall (March 29, 2022, 5 pm CT) for community reflections and feedback
- Synthesized all input and reflections into an Equi
CULTURAL EQUITY STATEMENT
To support a full creative life for all, Folk Alliance International commits to championing policies and practices of cultural equity that empower a just, inclusive, and equitable music industry and community.
OUR VALUES STATEMENT
FAI values diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. We strive to ensure gender parity in all our programming, to celebrate multiple languages and cultures, and we actively welcome participation from marginalized, disenfranchised, and underrepresented communities.
Member Call Out for Cultural Equity Council 2.0
With renewed support from the Board of Directors, Folk Alliance is entering into the second phase of the Cultural Equity Council, administered by DEIA Coordinator (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access) Janice Jo Lee. We invite folks interested in joining the Council to apply below.
CULTURAL EQUITY COUNCIL 2.0 MEMBER PROFILE
Responsibilities
With administrative support from the DEIA Coordinator:
- Co-facilitate one FAI Town Hall per year (2 hours)
- Attend Cultural Equity Council work sessions every 2 months (5 occurrences, 10 hours total) at which members:
- Act as a listening body for FAI members, bringing recommendations to DEIA Coordinator and the Board of Directors
- Share cultural expertise and recommendations on FAI’s practices
- Co-facilitate the research process to gather member suggestions on creating culturally safe environments in regards to: race, physical accessibility, financial accessibility, neurodivergence accessibility, gender and sexuality
- Lead the creation of a Cultural Safety Kit for Artists, including tips for best practices for working touring musicians
Qualifications
- An active member of the folk music community
- Willingness and ability to share knowledge and expertise regarding culturally-specific lived experiences
- For all members collectively to cover a wide range of geographic and demographic groups
- Ability to actively listen to members, create environments where people feel comfortable and foster a sense of community
- Facilitation skills are an asset
Compensation
- $500 USD honorarium for the 10 month period (September 1 2025, June 30 2026)
- One complimentary registration to the Folk Alliance Conference 2026 New Orleans (January 21-25 2026)
APPLY HERE by Sept 15, 2025
APPLICATION FORM QUESTIONS
- Why are you interested in this role? What do you hope to offer? (Approx 150 words)
- How do you define cultural equity, and what does it mean to you in the context of the folk music community? You may speak to music genres and styles, as well as people and practices. (Approx 250 words)
- What perspectives or experiences do you bring that you believe are underrepresented in the folk music ecosystem? (Approx 150 words)
- In what ways have you worked to support or advocate for culturally safe environments (race, gender, accessibility, etc.) in your artistic, personal, or professional work? (Approx 250 words)
- Have you ever facilitated or co-led a community dialogue, workshop, or town hall? If so, please describe the setting and what you learned from the experience. (Max 150 words)
- Optional: Attach a resume or LinkedIn
- Name
- Pronouns (optional)
- Access Needs
- City, Country, Time Zone
- Phone
- Best meeting times
APPLY HERE by Sept 15, 2025
Contact DEIA Coordinator (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access) Janice Jo Lee if you have any questions janice@folk.org
**Black, Indigenous, People of Color
Co-conveners of the Council
Karima Daoudi
Senior Program Officer (Education Program)
East-West Center
she/her
Dom Flemons
Artist
he/him
Council Members
Paula Boggs
Musician, Songwriter
she/her
Mercedes Caxaj
Head of Programs
Small World Music
she/her
Elexa Dawson
Artist
she/her
Susie Giang
Agent
Ground Control Touring
she/they
Reggie Harris
Musician Educator
he/him
Justin Hiltner
Banjoist, Songwriter, Music Writer
he/they
Amy Reitnouer Jacobs
Executive Director
The Bluegrass Situation
she/her
Umair Jaffar
Executive Director
Small World Music
he/him
Janice Jo Lee
Artist, Producer
she/they
Lilli Lewis
Artist
she/her
Jacquelyn Marushka
Founder/President
Marushka Media
she/her
Charlie Mosbrook
Musician
he/him
Alka Sharma
Canadian Arts Presentation Fund
Canadian Arts Presentation Fund
she/her
Gerald Torres
Professor of Law
Yale University
he/him
Caroline Randall Williams
Artist / Author / Scholar
Vanderbilt University
she/her
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