Wasserman Music, Black Music Action Coalition, TSU Partner For Music Accelerator Program

Wasserman Music, Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) and the Commercial Music Program at Tennessee State University (TSU) have announced the inaugural Music Accelerator Program. Nashville Music Equality and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) will also provide additional collaboration and contributions.

The Music Accelerator Program is a three-week educational program during TSU’s Maymester that runs from May 9-26. The program provides a class of approximately 20 TSU students with curriculum in various disciplines including songwriting, copyrights, publishing, labels, marketing, touring, publicity and more.

Registration opens on Monday, March 28. The course is open to all TSU students.

Wasserman Music Senior Vice President Lenore Kinder comments: “We’re excited about kicking off our program with TSU here in Nashville and working with Nashville Music Equality to help prepare these promising students to launch successful music industry careers. Our aim is to help grow the next generation of industry leaders to create a lasting impact on the music business.”

The program will feature guest lectures from music executives, such as Post Malone’s manager Dre London, Artistry Group founder/CEO Max Gousse, Roddy Ricch manager Shawn Holiday, EMPIRE product manager Russell Barrett, Revels Group manager Jamil Davis, and Wasserman Music agents Lee Anderson, Kinder, Callender, Chappel McCollister and Mallory Smith. The program will also offer internship placements at companies such as Wasserman Music and Quality Control Music.

“Tennessee State University has one of the longest established Commercial Music degree programs in the country, not to mention HBCUs. We are extremely pleased to join all of the program partners in this activity to expand equity of access and participation within all parts of the music industry to students, who upon graduation, have too often found themselves marginalized and shut out from full participation,” Dr. Robert L. Elliott, Head of the Department of Music at Tennessee State University explains. “The partners in this activity are truly working to help shift the paradigm of inclusion and equity within all parts of the music industry, and TSU and its students are proud to be a part of this historic change.”

Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, co-founder and co-chair of BMAC, adds, “Black Music Action Coalition is committed to breaking down barriers, creating access and opportunities and leveling the playing field for the next generation of Black Executives and creatives. This partnership with Wasserman Music and TSU is the beginning of a movement that will grow and further expand to colleges across the country. Not only are we ensuring meaningful paid internships with support services like housing and transportation but to have the opportunity to bring in subject matter experts and industry leaders to conduct in-person classes will be invaluable to the students.”