The Recording Academy has added a new event to its Grammy week schedule. Organized by the Black Music Collective (BMC), an inaugural experience of the same name will shine a deserving spotlight on Black creators’ and professionals’ achievements and contributions within the music industry.
For the live stream, fan-friendly event, H.E.R., PJ Morton, Yolanda Adams, and Freddie Gibbs & Alchemist are slated to amaze audiences with music from their impressive catalogs.
Complementing the star-studded performance lineup, Quincy Jones, Jimmy Jam, Debra Lee, and Jeff Harleston — all BMC honorary chairs — will offer wise words through personal reflections and mogul moments. BMC Chair Rigg Morales and the Recording Academy’s Interim President/CEO Harvey Mason Jr. are also on the program to make industry perspective remarks.
Also scheduled for the historic event are Janelle Monáe, John Legend, Issa Rae, Tamika D. Mallory, and Valeisha Butterfield Jones, the Recording Academy’s chief diversity, equity & inclusion officer. They will all speak on the Black experience in the wake of the social justice movement.
“We are thrilled to announce this virtual program as the BMC continues to celebrate Black music and those who share our mission to foster and accelerate Black representation, equity and inclusion throughout the music industry. The Black Music Collective will continue to tailor events for Black creators to feel uplifted and supported and we are excited for this GRAMMY Week kickoff,” Morales said in a press statement.
Mason added, “As the first of its kind, we created this event with every intention to amplify Black voices and each of our experiences within the industry. The BMC will continue to foster a space for members and industry professionals to educate and elevate Black creators during GRAMMY Week and beyond.”
Another reason to tune in for the BMC event is the influential and powerful topics, ranging from the Impact of Black Music to the Power, Purpose, and Progress of the State of Black Music, to name a few.
Launched in September 2020, the BMC is dedicated to creating new ideas and opportunities in Black music across all genres and identifying exciting methods to amplify representation.
Hosted by BMC Executive Sponsor Jeriel Johnson, the inaugural BMC event airs live on March 10 on GRAMMY.com at 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. PST. Meanwhile, the 2021 Grammy Awards airs live on March 14 at 8 p.m. EST/ 5 p.m. EST.
