Nissan Foundation Grant to Fund Right to Write: Exploring Issues in Diversity & Inclusiveness through Music Program
CLEVELAND, MISS – The Nissan Foundation today named GRAMMY Museum Mississippi a 2021 grant recipient. The Nissan Foundation grant will help fund Right to Write: Exploring Issues in Diversity & Inclusiveness Through Music. The program will implement two education workshops that were previously developed through a partnership with Nissan Foundation. Right to Write will use the music of the Civil Rights Movement and other historical events to explore issues in diversity, inclusiveness, and social and racial equity.
The workshops will be presented in conjunction with school tours of the Museum, including student groups from Madison, Hinds, and Rankin counties in Mississippi. These workshops will also be conducted locally in at least one elementary and middle public school or other community location in Madison County (Canton), Rankin County (Brandon), and Hinds County (Jackson), with a focus on serving schools that do not have the resources to travel to the Museum. Now in its 29th year, the Nissan Foundation supports educational programs that promote a greater appreciation and understanding of America’s diverse cultural heritage
“We are so honored and excited to have been chosen as a 2021 Nisandrewsan Foundation grant recipient,” said Emily Havens, Executive Director of GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. “With the support from the Nissan Foundation, we will be able to create and present workshops teaching the importance of the music of the Civil Rights Movement, furthering our mission of music education.”
The Nissan Foundation was created in 1992 as a thoughtful response to the three weeks of violent civil unrest that occurred near Nissan North America’s then U.S. sales and marketing operations in Southern California following the Rodney King trial verdict. Nissan established a $5 million endowment to promote cultural diversity within southern Los Angeles neighborhoods.
In the 29 years since, the Nissan Foundation has awarded more than $13 million to over 150 nonprofit organizations to support innovative programs that break down societal barriers and build inclusive communities through education and outreach. Grant recipients promote cultural diversity across a variety of arts, education, social, and public programs in seven US communities where Nissan operates.
“For nearly 30 years, the Nissan Foundation has been committed to amplifying the efforts of nonprofit organizations doing the important work of sharing diverse cultural perspectives and experiences with communities across the country,” said Andrew Tavi, President of the Nissan Foundation. “At perhaps no other time in recent history has the work of GRAMMY Museum Mississippi been so critical. We are proud to support their efforts to inspire people to embrace the value of our differences.”
The Nissan Foundation is awarding a total of $697,000 in grants to 28 nonprofit organizations for its 2021 grant cycle. The nonprofit recipients are located in Southern California, Tennessee, Texas, Central Mississippi, Southeast Michigan, and the New York and Atlanta metro areas—all areas where Nissan has an operational presence.
Nissan Foundation grants are awarded annually; the next grants will be awarded in June 2022, when the Foundation celebrates its 30th year. For more information about the Nissan Foundation, the 2021 grantees and the grant application process, visit the Nissan Foundation page.
