Otis College Board Chair, a Pasadena Resident, Gifts $1 Million to School for Anti-Racism Initiatives

Otis College of Art and Design Board of Trustees Chair Mei-Lee Ney of Pasadena has donated $1 million to support the school’s initiatives to combat racism and injustice, the college has announced.

The substantial gift was meant “to support the college’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts,” Otis College said in a written statement. The donation was “a significant endorsement of the initial anti-racism actions announced by the college in June”

The funds will be used to launch initiatives, including new scholarships and the hiring of an executive to serve a diversity, equity, and inclusion role, according to the college.

“I made my donation because racial injustice is something I feel strongly about,” Ney said.”Systemic racism within our educational, financial, and societal institutions disproportionately affects Black communities and can create additional obstacles for students, faculty, and staff.”

Otis College President Charles Hirschhorn said the donation will go a long way toward a vital goal.

“We are tremendously grateful to Mei-Lee Ney for her generous support,” Hirschhorn said. “There is much we need to do, and this early affirmation of such important work is critical.”

Otis College Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council Chair Karen Hill also expressed gratitude for the gift.

“This generous and thoughtful gift from Mei-Lee Ney will support our ability to make a difference in our campus culture, as well as support our desire to collaborate with others seeking to write a new narrative in history around equity, social justice, and fairness,” she said.

Ney said she hoped others might follow suit.

“I hope my donation will inspire others to give,” she said. “Artists reflect differently and bring new ways of thinking. I don’t think there’s a better place than Otis to put our heads together and try to make a difference and bring real change.”