LOS ANGELES (November 2, 2023) – The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced a new collaboration to promote economic empowerment and access for Black and female music artists and industry professionals through the BMAC Music Maker Guaranteed Income and Mentorship Program. In acknowledgement of the vast and vital contributions these professionals have made to the music business, the program is aimed at rectifying outdated systems that demean those living with economic challenges.
Applications for the BMAC Music Maker Guaranteed Income and Mentorship Program will be available on November 2nd, 2023 through November 20th, 2023 for Black and female music artists and industry professionals, between the ages of 18-30 years old, who demonstrate financial need and reside in the United States.
BMAC and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will provide selected applicants a year of financial support and mentorship beginning February 2024, to kick off Black History Month. BMAC, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Billboard, iHeartMedia, and the Music Artist Coalition (MAC) will produce an industry wide summit during 2024 Grammy Week to discuss diversity, inclusion, and the contributions female and Black Artists have made to music.
“…The immeasurable contributions made by Black Artists and executives have led to the growth and expansion of our music industry and impacted bottom lines globally,” says Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, co-founder/Chairman of BMAC. “However those contributions have often been overlooked, appropriated and misrepresented. BMAC applauds the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for partnering with us to launch a program that will directly address the long standing inequities in the music industry. We are leveling the playing field and investing in the next generation of Black and female creatives and future executives, ensuring they have the access, resources, and the network to continue to make those contributions and impact.”
“Rock & Roll was born from the collision of Rhythm & Blues, Gospel and Country,” said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “From its creation in 1986 through today, Black and female artists and executives have played a vital role in creating the diverse sounds, styles and spirit honored by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. We are proud to partner with the Black Music Action coalition on this important initiative.”
“The powerful contributions made to music by Black artists and female artists are so significant as to be unquantifiable,” says Caron Veazey, co-Founder of BMAC. “At BMAC, part of our mission is to support and cultivate talent – and through the BMAC x Rock and Roll Hall of Fame program, we are able to provide mentorship and a guaranteed income to artists which will provide them with the bandwidth to create. Our aim is to help the next generation of musicians, songwriters, producers, managers, agents and other industry professionals to go after their dreams and turn them into reality. Working together with RRHOF is an exciting example of implementing tangible action to support a shared goal.”
Click HERE to apply for the BMAC Music Maker Guaranteed Income and Mentorship Program.
In addition to economic support to address basic needs such as rent, utilities and food, as well as career advancement costs such as studio time, travel for shows, marketing, and legal services, the coalition will provide intensive mentorship focused on improving inclusivity and equity within music by empowering emerging artists and professionals in the early stages of their careers. The mentorship program provides access to development opportunities and visibility within BMAC and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s networks. BMAC will facilitate the program as well as document and track the journeys of selected applicants as they share uplifting stories from their year of empowerment.
“Music Artist Coalition is proud to join forces with Black Music Action Coalition and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to facilitate an industry conversation on race, gender, diversity and inclusion,” says MAC Board Member, Susan Genco. “Together we want to bring together industry leaders to have an open dialogue about our industry’s past, present and, most importantly, building our future.”
In September, BMAC opened general membership to music industry professionals and advocates who want to join the unified force of action for racial equity and justice within the music industry and to use the power of our collective voice to improve communities and drive systemic change. For more information, please visit: bmacoalition.org
Since Black Music Action Coalition’s inception in 2020, the organization has been instrumental in addressing systemic racism within the music business and advocating on behalf of Black artists, songwriters, producers, managers, agents, executives, lawyers and other impassioned industry professionals.
Some of BMAC’s recent initiatives include a notable partnership with the Academy of Country Music gave rise to the “OnRamp” program, a pioneering guaranteed income initiative supporting 20 young, Black music community members, including artists and industry professionals, in Nashville, TN. Moreover, the group joined forces with Audiomack to launch the groundbreaking “Black Music Executives Are The Future” internship and mentorship program, offering five Black undergraduates or recent graduates invaluable paid internships at Audiomack, coupled with mentorship from distinguished music industry executives. Additionally, BMAC unveiled the second edition of its Music Industry Action Report Card (MIARC), assessing numerous organizations across various categories – labels, publishers, streaming services, live entertainment, touring, and the Recording Academy – and their actions to uplift Black employees and contribute to racial justice initiatives. Remarkably, these and other initiatives have reached over 5,000 students, provided mentorship to 100 emerging music artists and industry professionals, and directly funded various communities with more than $700,000.
For more information regarding Black Music Action Coalition, please visit bmacoalition.org.
Read the exclusive story at Rolling Stone: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rock-hall-black-music-action-coalition-mentorship-program-1234868631/
About Black Music Action Coalition
The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) endeavors to uphold and actualize the mission of Black Lives Matter in the music industry and reach racial justice not just across labels, publishers, agencies, distributors, and DSP’s but throughout society at large. BMAC works together with leaders from various business leaders to hold their companies accountable and implement a system of checks and balances to ensure change takes root. The group fosters and shepherds various educational, mental health, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, policing, social justice, and political causes that directly impact Black communities.
About Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame
Born from the collision of rhythm & blues, country, and gospel, rock & roll is a spirit that is inclusive and ever-changing. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates the sound of youth culture and honors the artists whose music connects us all. We share stories of the people, events, and songs that shape our world through digital content, innovative exhibits, live music, engaging programs, and our annual Induction Ceremony. We intentionally foster a diverse, equitable, educational nonprofit Museum that encourages and embraces creativity and innovation. As a community leader, we value, empower, and respect all people. Join the millions who love rock & roll as much as you do. Visit us in Cleveland, Ohio, or at rockhall.com, and follow us on Social at @RockHall on Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube, and @RockAndRollHallOfFame on Facebook, and use hashtag #RockHall2023 to join the conversation!
For more information on Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), please contact:
Michelle McDevitt | Audible Treats
Annjelica Houston | Audible Treats
Destiny Riley | Audible Treats
Khalila Douze | Biz 3
Kathryn Frazier | Biz3