irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $137KIN FY25, THE BLACK ORCHESTRAL NETWORK (BON) CONTINUED ITS MISSION OF AMPLIFYING BLACK VOICES AND STRENGTHENING AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY WITHIN CLASSICAL MUSIC. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED BON'S ANNUAL SUMMIT, HELD IN ATLANTA FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND THE PRESENTATION OF THE INAUGURAL BON IMPACT AND LEGACY AWARD TO MRS. AZIRA HILL, HONORING HER DECADES-LONG COMMITMENT TO CREATING ACCESSIBLE PATHWAYS FOR YOUNG, ASPIRING BLACK CLASSICAL MUSICIANS. THE AWARD WAS PRESENTED BY AMBASSADOR ANDREW YOUNG.BON ALSO HOSTED NETWORKING EVENTS AT SPHINXCONNECT AND THE GATEWAYS MUSIC FESTIVAL, AND CONTINUED ITS MONTHLY COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS, IN ADDITION TO VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT LOUNGES, OFFERING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, INDUSTRY INSIGHTS, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLACK PROFESSIONALS. ADVOCACY EFFORTS SUCH AS "DEAR AMERICAN ORCHESTRAS, PART II" CONTINUE TO PROMPT POLICY REVIEWS ACROSS MAJOR ORCHESTRAL INSTITUTIONS AND BON IS IN THE FINAL PROCESS OF PUBLISHING A 3RD CALL TO ACTION LETTER. ADDITIONALLY, BON EXPANDED ITS HBCU MASTERCLASS SERIES WITH EVENTS AT HAMPTON AND FISK UNIVERSITIES, IN ADDITION TO WORKING WITH YOUNGER STUDENTS FROM THE ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT. THE ORGANIZATION FURTHER STRENGTHENED ITS REACH BY WELCOMING NEW INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERS FROM LEADING ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING LINCOLN CENTER AND YALE UNIVERSITY.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
BON Impact and Legacy Award
Honors individuals who have made significant contributions to creating accessible pathways for Black classical musicians. First awarded to Mrs. Azira Hill.
Black Orchestral Network (BON)
National initiative to advance Black orchestra musicians through networking, professional development, and advocacy. Includes annual summit, community conversations, and institutional partnerships.
Community Conversations
Monthly virtual discussions offering professional development, industry insights, and networking opportunities for Black classical music professionals.
HBCU Masterclass Series
Educational outreach program bringing masterclasses to students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities including Hampton and Fisk Universities.
Instrument Lounges
Virtual gatherings for Black orchestral musicians to connect, share experiences, and support peer development.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Musician Advocacy and Labor Representation 1 activity
- Advocate for racial equity in orchestral institutionsConducts advocacy initiatives such as the "Dear American Orchestras, Part II" campaign, which prompted policy reviews at major orchestral institutions, and prepared a third call to action letter for publication.
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Conduct HBCU masterclass series and youth engagement programsExpands educational outreach through masterclasses at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including events at Hampton and Fisk Universities, and engages younger students through partnerships with programs like the Atlanta Music Project.
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Arts Professional Advocacy & Equity Initiatives 1 activity
- Facilitate professional development and virtual networking for Black classical musiciansConducts monthly community conversations and virtual instrument lounges to provide ongoing professional development and networking opportunities for Black classical musicians.
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Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
- Host annual Black Orchestral Network summit and networking eventsOrganizes and hosts the annual Black Orchestral Network summit, including events in Atlanta and New York City, and facilitates networking opportunities at SphinxConnect and the Gateways Music Festival to support Black classical musicians.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Expand institutional membership and capacity of the Black Orchestral NetworkExpands the institutional membership of the Black Orchestral Network to include major organizations such as Lincoln Center and Yale University, and launched a membership program that attracted five institutional members from leading musical organizations.
- Strengthen organizational infrastructure for the Black Orchestral NetworkHired key staff including the Director of Projects and Administrative Coordinator, and initiated the 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporation process for the Black Orchestral Network to build long-term institutional capacity.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.38M
Contributions & grants$1.23M89%
Program service revenue$125K9%
Investment income$25K2%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.92M
Program expenses67%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising20%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$1.86M
Cash$1.34M
Investments$0
Liabilities$262K
Net assets$1.59M
Liquid reserves8.3 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -30.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 16
- AMADI AZIKIWE — DIRECTOR
- DOUGLAS PHILLIPS — DIRECTOR
- GREGORY EWING — TREASURER (AS OF MARCH 2025)
- JAMES NORMAN — DIRECTOR
- JESSE ROSEN — DIRECTOR
- KATE SHEERAN — DIRECTOR
- KATE WASHINGTON — SECRETARY
- KEARSTIN PIPER BROWN — CHAIR
- LEE KOONCE — DIRECTOR
- ROBERT WERTH — DIRECTOR
- ROGER SMITH — TREASURER (THROUGH DEC. 2024)
- SHARON HATCHETT — DIRECTOR
- SONIA JAMES-WILSON — DIRECTOR
- SUSAN FEDER — DIRECTOR
- TIA GRAHAM — DIRECTOR
- TONI-MARIE MONTGOMERY — VICE CHAIR
relationships · 7
Who they work with
- Atlanta Music Project Partner — Collaborated with the Black Orchestral Network to engage younger students in classical music programming.
- Black Orchestral Network Partner — Sponsor and supporting organization for the Black Orchestral Network, a national group advancing Black orchestra musicians in professional symphony orchestras.
- Fisk University Partner — Hosted HBCU masterclass events as part of the Black Orchestral Network’s outreach program.
- Hampton University Partner — Hosted HBCU masterclass events as part of the Black Orchestral Network’s outreach program.
- Lincoln Center Network — Institutional member of the Black Orchestral Network, supported by Gateways Music Festival Inc.
- SphinxConnect Partner — Hosted joint networking events with the Black Orchestral Network during the Gateways Music Festival.
- Yale University Network — Institutional member of the Black Orchestral Network, supported by Gateways Music Festival Inc.
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Performance-Based Community Engagementmethodology: performance_based_community_engagementBy leveraging live classical performances, we inspire and educate communities, because shared cultural experiences create accessible entry points for engagement and foster collective identity and belonging.
- Policy Advocacy for Racial Equity in Classical Musicmethodology: policy_advocacy_for_racial_equityBy issuing public advocacy letters to major orchestral institutions, we drive policy change to increase equity and inclusion for Black musicians, because institutional accountability and public pressure create leverage for systemic reform.