ACADEMY BEGINS SUMMER OF ADVOCACY

In the lead-up to its nationwide day of advocacy on 8/12, the Recording Academy will be pushing legislators to help provide pandemic relief for music creators and music businesses, and to promote positive social change through legislation.

During the Academy's "Summer of Advocacy," members will connect directly with their legislators to work to improve the conditions for music creators and music businesses. As black music is a cornerstone of the music industry, Academy members will highlight this disparity in the recovery.

Starting Friday, members of the Recording Academy can register to take action in the first step of the advocacy movement. The chief issues are an expansion in the CARES Ac to further assist freelance music creators and underserved communities, and enacting laws to provide tax breaks to help recording studios and concert venues reopen and thrive.

"The Academy has proven before that when the voices of creators are heard on Capitol Hill, legislators listen,” said Harvey Mason Jr., Chair and Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy, referring to the CARES Act that helped freelance creators. “Now we call on Congress to improve the provisions to ensure creators fully benefit from the intent of the law, and that underserved communities get their fair share of the aid."

Thousands of Academy members—both working professionals and creators—will activate across the country in the coming months in fighting for fair protections for music creators, a safe return for music performances, and an equitable recovery across all communities.