Gateways Music Festival Inc

The organization is a sponsor for the newly formed black orchestral network (bon), a national organization dedicated to advancing the efforts of black orchestra musicians who are members of professional symphony orchestras. In fy24, bon made substantial strides in amplifying black voices and fostering a strong, inclusive community within classical music. Key events included bon's inaugural summit in nyc, networking events at sphinxconnect and the gateways music festival, and the launch of monthly community conversations, providing professional development, industry insights, and virtual networking for black professionals. Bon's advocacy initiatives, including "dear american orchestras, part ii," spurred policy reviews across major orchestras. Bon expanded its reach with its first hbcu masterclass at hampton university and launched a new membership program, now with five institutional members from leading musical organizations. To support these initiatives, bon filled key roles with emilio carlo as director of projects and megan zhang as administrative coordinator, and initiated the 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporation process to secure bon's future impact.