FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2022
CONTACT
media@colorofchange.org
Leading Racial Justice and Entertainment Leaders Launch First-Of-Its-Kind Database of Black Professionals in the Music Industry
Diverse Representation and #ChangeMusic’s Black Music Executives Pipeline Program Will Pair Emerging Black Talent with Industry Leaders and Create Database
TODAY — Diverse Representation and #ChangeMusic announced the launch of the Diverse Representation Music Database, the first database of its kind focused on increasing employment opportunities for Black professionals in the music industry. The Diverse Representation Music Database comes as an evolution of Diverse Representation’s highly successful resume depository for Black professionals working in the television and film industries. The new iteration of the database developed in partnership with Color Of Change’s #ChangeMusic initiative now features Black professionals in music, presenting a first-of-its-kind hiring database within the industry.
The database houses the profiles and resumes of hundreds of Black professionals from across the country with varying degrees of experience in the music industry, refreshed and vetted with a human eye on a quarterly basis. The site will open for the next round of resume submissions later this year. Hiring managers from music labels, streaming platforms, agencies, firms, and other companies should submit a request through the diverserepresenationmusic.com contact portal to receive access to the fresh batch of talent.
“This first-of-its-kind database is an invaluable tool for any company or platform within the music industry looking to hire Black talent,” says Jaia Thomas, Esq., founder and president of Diverse Representation. “From studio engineers to marketing professionals to art directors to attorneys, this database covers the entire swath of roles in the music industry. For years companies have claimed how difficult it is to find a qualified Black candidate. Those claims become null and void with the release of this database.”
“The Diverse Representation Music Database is a necessary tool that will help end the music industry’s decades-long history of discrimination and exclusion of Black professionals,” says Amity Paye, senior director of communications at Color Of Change. “This is an invitation for record labels, artists, producers, and venues to take action in the industry by hiring Black talent and professionals. The music industry has excluded and exploited Black people for far too long. With this database, we are investing in Black talent and careers and driving the music industry to commit to inclusivity.”
The database marks the second collaboration between Diverse Representation and #ChangeMusic. In late 2021, the two groups successfully launched a music pipeline program aimed at increasing the number of Black executives in the music industry. Twelve professionals were selected to participate in a three-month immersive mentorship program aimed at equipping them with the skill sets and relationships needed to succeed as executives in the music industry.
Changing the trajectory of industries is no easy feat. The #ChangeMusic initiative partners with experts across the music industry to design new resources that empower organizations with critical tools needed for implementing social change through the #ChangeMusic Roadmap, a guide to move beyond conversation and intention to truly implement systemic racial justice.
Become a Color Of Change #ChangeMusic Roadmap partner by visiting changeindustries.org/music.
Learn more about the database at diverserepresentationmusic.com.
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Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over 7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and governments to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Visit www.colorofchange.org.
#ChangeMusic is a vertical within the Color Of Change #ChangeIndustries initiative dedicated to eradicating racism in the music industry. In partnership with the Recording Academy, #ChangeMusic addresses racist, exploitative practices in the music industry that are long overdue for an overhaul. Its goal is to harness the power we have as artists, producers, executives, and cultural leaders by inviting companies to take responsibility for their impact on the world.
Diverse Representation is aimed at increasing the hiring and exposure of Black agents, attorneys, managers, publicists, and executives in the sports and entertainment industries. In addition to creating the first ever comprehensive database of Black agents, attorneys, managers, and publicists in the sports and entertainment industries, Diverse Representation also curates various programs, events, and diversity initiatives. Visit www.diverserepresentation.com