Circle of Inequity (COI)

I really appreciate the transparency of including the critical email from Circle in the Square Theatre School (CITSTS) on your website – as well as the courage and the ability to post your own response to it. In that context, why is transparency important to Circle of Inequity?

Ayivor: CITSTC is shrouded in secrecy because, I think, it's really easy for that way for them to avoid blame. But we're the complete opposite of that, you know – we want to be seen, flaws and all. So, you know, if you're going to critique us [...] be ready to bolster up because we're very transparent in who we are, we know who we are, we know what we stand for, we know that we have a voice. [And] it's not even like, oh, "who gets the last word" type of situation, so much as it's: Well, if you're going to tell us that you don't want to work with us anymore and you don't care about the well being of BIPOC and other underrepresented communities, then we're gonna make sure that everyone knows exactly what you said in your words, and then we're going to tell everyone what we said back, because we have nothing to hide. The moment we have something to hide, we're probably the problem.

Lopez: That was perfect. That was like perfectly summed up. Say it with your chest!