Recording Academy Announces Black Leadership Council to Amplify Black Voices

Imagine a Grammy-based Guardians of the Galaxy elite force of equity and inclusion heroes, whose mission is to make sure Black voices are amplified...

Well, the Recording Academy has announced something like that, revealing its Black Leadership Council on Thursday. As part of its newly launched Black Music Collective, the council will be “dedicated to progressing the Recording Academy’s mission to achieve equitable representation across its membership and the music industry.”

“This is a new era of change for the Recording Academy and we are honored to have these leading artists, executives, producers and engineers who are all at the top of their fields join us for such an important moment in our world, our nation and our industry,” Harvey Mason Jr., Chair and Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy said in a statement. “Black music is part of the fabric of our industry and it is so reassuring to stand with these leaders to create momentum, bring change and amplify Black voices.”

Per the press release sent to The Root:

The collective will serve as a space for members to speak openly about new and emerging opportunities in Black music alongside an inspiring group of groundbreaking Black music creators and business leaders. Leadership has already begun creating and identifying programming that will encourage the acceleration of Black membership within the Academy. The following list of accomplished music professionals will join Honorary Chairs Jeffrey Harleston, Jimmy Jam, Quincy Jones, Debra Lee, John Legend, and Sylvia Rhone, and work hand in hand to elevate the mission of the collective. Recording Academy Trustee Riggs Morales serves as the BMC Chair and Washington, D.C. Chapter Executive Director Jeriel Johnson is the Executive Sponsor.

Notable members of this new Black-ass music coalition consists of Yolanda Adams, D-Nice, Aloe Blacc (who joined us for an empowering chat at The Root Institute this summer), and H.E.R., just to name a few.

“Our time is now and I’m so excited to add my voice in whatever way I can to honor those who came before me, those who worked building the foundation in this important work in music,” H.E.R. said in a statement. “Initiatives like this help give a voice to young and emerging artists who dream of an even bigger future. We’re all in this together.”

“We’re energized by our partnership with such an esteemed group of Black music leaders who share our mission to foster and accelerate Black representation, equity and inclusion throughout the music industry,” Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer of the Recording Academy added. “We’ve doubled down on our partnership with these leaders and are committed to the work ahead.”

The complete list of Black Leadership Council Members include:

Yolanda Adams, ArtistBrianna Agyemang, ExecutiveDerek “MixedByAli” Ali, EngineerTunde Balogun, ExecutiveTuma Basa, ExecutiveAloe Blacc, ArtistBoi-1da, ProducerCatherine Brewton, ExecutiveTerri Lyne Carrington, MusicianD-Nice, ArtistPhylicia Fant, ExecutiveH.E.R., ArtistOm’Mas Keith, ProducerRico Love, SongwriterHeather Lowery, ExecutiveRiggs Morales, Executive and BMC ChairSteve Pamon, ExecutiveTayla Parx, SongwriterRyan Press, ExecutiveRashid Shabazz, ExecutiveJamila Thomas, ExecutiveDion “No-I.D.” Wilson, Producer