The Black Music Action Coalition and the Academy of Country Music have created a program to financially assist 20 young, Black members of the Nashville music community for a year.

OnRamp, which will provide each participant with a $1,000 monthly stipend, aims to empower the next generation of leaders in the early stages of their careers by granting access to professional development opportunities and community mentorship. Participants will be able to receive industry exposure, access to Academy membership panels and tentpole live events, and visibility with Academy Board members and industry leaders.

“It speaks volumes for the Black Music Action Coalition and the Academy of Country Music to join forces to launch a guaranteed income program in Nashville for emerging Black artists and young professionals,” said Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, co-founder/co-chair Black Music Action Coalition. “I applaud Damon Whiteside, the ACM Board and the Level Up team for sharing our vision and becoming true partners with BMAC on a direct impact solution that will begin to address long standing racial inequalities that exist in this country.”

The BMAC, the Academy of Country Music and industry partners will initially fund the program, which social impact agency BreatheWithMe will run. Corporations and companies operating in Nashville and beyond are encouraged to make financial contributions to OnRamp.

Playing an active role in guiding the OnRamp program and bringing it to life will be the members of the ACM LEVel Up: Lift Every Voice program’s 2022 cohort.

“We see this partnership as a particularly impactful way to continue our committed work to making the statement ‘Country Music is for Everyone’ a true reality,” Whiteside said.