My Story
My journey shapes my ability to create leadership pathways for creatives and executives, leaving the world better than I found it. Let's make an impact together.
I’m Carlton Ford, a transformative leader and visionary at the intersection of arts, business, and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). As the Managing Director of Diaz Inclusion Consulting, I lead strategies that redefine inclusivity and drive sustainable growth for arts and culture organizations across the nation. I’ve had the privilege of working with high-profile clients such as the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT), Washington National Opera at The Kennedy Center, Miami City Ballet, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. My work is deeply rooted in fostering inclusive and artistically enriched environments that thrive and inspire.
Growing up on Chicago’s South Side, I was captivated by the transformative power of storytelling and connection fostered through community theater. This environment nurtured my curiosity and set the foundation for a lifelong passion for exploring how creativity can drive change. I believe true leadership begins with a deep understanding of oneself and an unwavering curiosity about others. A guiding thought for me is: “If I were you, I’d be you.” This mindset embraces the complexity of what shapes each individual’s identity and perspective. The joys of life and leadership come not from assimilation or “fitting the mold,” but from truly knowing oneself and practicing genuine curiosity about others.
Legacy Magazine’s “40 Under 40” Cover Photo (Miami Herald)
Graduation from The Juilliard School
The New York Times - Arts Section
This curiosity has fueled my transitions from the stage to the boardroom, where I’ve raised over $40 million for leading arts and culture organizations, including Interlochen Center for the Arts, the Adrienne Arsht Center, Florida Grand Opera, and Taproot Foundation. My expertise in fund development has enabled these institutions to expand their impact through strategic relationship-building and innovative programming.
I’m also writing a book with the support of New York Times best-selling contributor Hal Clifford. Set for release in 2025, the book explores the intersections of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and the arts.
My leadership work extends to my service as Board Chair of Miami’s Nu Deco Ensemble, an orchestra that redefines what an orchestra can be in the 21st century through genre-bending collaborations and global digital engagement. Nu Deco Ensemble is signed with Sony Music Masterworks. I’m also on the board of Chamber Music America, where I chair the Mindful Futures Committee, focusing on the future of the organization's education and community engagement strategies. I’m actively involved with the Conference Committee, addressing the evolving needs of the chamber music community.
Members of the Nu Deco Ensemble Board of Directors
As a recognized thought leader, I’ve contributed to national conversations on philanthropy, IDEA, and the role of the arts in social change. My work has been featured in the Miami Herald, where I authored the op-ed Careless Labels Like ‘Underserved’ Ignore the Richness, Diversity Among Blacks. I’ve been a featured guest on the DonorSearch Philanthropy Masterminds podcast and led webinars like Check Your Labels: Race, Identity, and Power in Grant Writing with Grants Plus.
Before transitioning into executive leadership, I was an international operatic baritone, performing at venues like Carnegie Hall, Berlin Philharmonic, Royal Albert Hall (London), Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris), and the Metropolitan Opera. I’ve also been part of Oscar and Emmy-nominated productions for HBO and PBS. These experiences profoundly shaped my approach to leadership and consulting, blending creativity and strategy to help organizations thrive.
I hold degrees from The Juilliard School and Rice University. Currently based in Scottsdale, Arizona, I live with my bernedoodle, Leila. I’m passionate about hiking, cooking, and volunteering to support early start-up nonprofits.
If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.