ACADEMY, INDUSTRY LEADERS TACKLE KEY ISSUES AT #CHANGEMUSIC SUMMIT

The Recording Academy and Color of Change, the nation’s largest online racial-justice org, hosted a virtual industrywide #ChangeMusic Summit with music and media executives on 10/1.

The summit was the latest in a series of initiatives facilitated by the Academy to help accelerate equity and diverse representation within its ranks and to further support inclusion outcomes across the music industry.

“This is a crucial moment in our world, our nation and our society, and it is now more important than ever that we bring people together to make progress on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion,” Recording Academy Chair and Interim President/CEO Harvey Mason Jr. asserted. “As leaders in the music industry, we have an opportunity as role models to lead by example and set a progressive tone for culture and society. We are honored that so many from the industry joined this important conversation and we’re committed to the work ahead.”

The event brought together leaders, executives and subject-matter experts for panels on shifting culture, amplifying diverse voices, leadership in action and driving systemic change throughout the music community.

During the event, the Academy and Color of Change announced the forthcoming #ChangeMusic Roadmap, a tool to help people at all levels of the music industry take action to enact racial and social justice within the industry. The full roadmap will be released before the end of the year, however, the first aspect of the roadmap discussed was a needed commitment to transparent reporting on Black representation.

“Black artists’ rich contributions have undeniably shaped the music industry into what it is today,” said Color of Change President Rashad Robinson. “The industry must tear down the systems that silence, harm and pigeonhole Black artists for profitable gains. Everyone has the responsibility to work towards progress. The #ChangeMusic Roadmap will begin the process of giving the industry the tools to challenge injustice and enact tangible change now. The Recording Academy is setting a strong example for the industry from the inside, holding those in power accountable to change. Together, we can propel music into the equitable future Black artists have earned, and always deserved.”

Along with Mason and Robinson music-business leaders and cultural trailblazers discussed best practices and strategies to encourage systemic change and elevate women, Black and Latinx, as well as all underrepresented music creators and professionals.

Participants included singer/songwriters Ledisi, Rico Love and Maimouna “Mumu Fresh” Youssef; industry figures including Caroline “Baroline” Diaz (Interscope), Michelle Edgar (Epic, Music Unites, XX Project), Ethiopia Habtemariam (Motown), Jeff Burroughs (Def Jam), Riggs Morales (Atlantic), Travis Robinson (UMG), Dr. Maurice Stinnett (WMG), Lenny Santiago (Roc Nation), Tuma Basa and Jessica Rivera (YouTube), Ingrid Best and Erin Hall Harris (Combs Enterprises), Binta Brown (omalilly projects, Black Music Action Coalition), Shari Bryant (Roc Nation), Debra Lee (formerly of BET), Adam McFarland (Blacksmith Recordings, #TheShowMustBePaused), Rashad Robinson and Rashid Shabazz (Color of Change); Tiffany R. Warren (Omnicom Group; ADCOLOR), Roe Williams (KWL Enterprises), music-culture influencer Karen Civil and numerous Academy repss, including Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Valeisha Butterfield Jones.

The full summit can be viewed here.