Black Music Action Coalition Host Series of Events During GRAMMY Week Where Equity Took Center Stage
The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), an advocacy organization founded in 2020 during the height of the pandemic and the surge of systemic racism, arranged a series of thought-provoking events leading up to GRAMMY weekend. These curated events laid the groundwork for essential conversations, aiming to advance equity for Black creatives beyond the typical glitz and glamor associated with one of the music industry’s most notable nights.
By Philtrina Farquharson | Contributing Writer
The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), an advocacy organization founded in 2020 during the height of the pandemic and the surge of systemic racism, arranged a series of thought-provoking events leading up to GRAMMY weekend. These curated events laid the groundwork for essential conversations, aiming to advance equity for Black creatives beyond the typical glitz and glamor associated with one of the music industry’s most notable nights.
In an exciting announcement at the BMAC Music Maker Dinner last Wednesday, BMAC revealed a partnership with the multi-talented singer-songwriter and recent GRAMMY award winner, Victoria Monét. Together, they will launch the BMAC x Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant. This grant will be a significant milestone in supporting the next generation of Black artists and industry professionals by awarding emerging artists $5,000 to aid and mentorship and career advice from Victoria Monét.
On the first day of Black History Month, BMAC hosted a media mixer that celebrated Black Media and Black Journalists in an exclusive event hosted at Live Nation in Beverly Hills. The event featured an insightful panel that underscored the crucial role of supporting Black-owned media and placing these outlets and journalists at the forefront of major opportunities. The panelists included Rhonesha Byng Founder & CEO of Her Agenda and Co-Founder of BOMESI, James DuBose, Founder & CEO, In the Black Network, Tasha Hilton, Senior Director of Marketing, BET, and Grouchy Greg Watkins, Co-Founder, All Hip Hop. The discussion was moderated by Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Co-Founder & CEO of Black Music Action Coalition.
Building on the momentum of the mixer, BMAC hosted an Economic Justice Summit, sparking a candid conversation on racial equity in the music industry ahead of music’s biggest night. In collaboration with Billboard, Creatives Rebuild New York, iHeartRadio, Music Artists Coalition, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this panel featured Representative Cori Bush and Congressman Jamaal Bowman. Guest appearances included Michael Tubbs, Former Mayor of Stockton / EP of ‘It’s Basic’, Maura Cuffie-Peterson, Creatives Rebuild NY, John Sykes, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame / iHeartMedia, and Hannah Karp, Editorial Director of Billboard. BMAC CEO also moderated this event, facilitating enriching dialogue on racial equity and bias in the music industry.
After the panel, BMAC shared with attendees an exclusive clip from the upcoming documentary, “It’s Basic”, which spotlighted families whose lives have been positively transformed by receiving supplemental income. This shed light on the impactful work of advocates like Michael Tubbs, who pioneered the first guaranteed income program dismantling the stereotype that low income earners abuse “free money” which leaned into BMAC mission of an equitable future.
The overarching focus of these events was to uplift Black professionals in the industry and shine a spotlight on the profound impact that Black creativity has on the music industry and the broader creative landscape. In a music industry often characterized by glitzy parties and surface-level entertainment, BMAC’s events during GRAMMY week aimed to inject substance and foster a meaningful dialogue surrounding the issues that matter most to Black creatives.
These initiatives align with BMAC’s mission to address systemic issues within the music industry, advocating for increased representation, support, and recognition for Black artists and professionals. By hosting events that go beyond the surface and delve into matters of racial equity, economic justice, and community impact, BMAC is actively working towards creating a more inclusive and empowering space for diverse creatives.
In a time when the music industry is under increased scrutiny for its lack of diversity and inclusion, BMAC’s initiatives stand out as a beacon of progress and a reminder to the power of collective action in driving positive change. To learn more about BMAC and their ongoing initiatives you can visit https://www.bmacoalition.org/.
