BMAC To Unveil Second Music Industry Action Report Card During Music Biz 2023

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Music Biz has announced that the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) will debut data from the second edition of its Music Industry Action Report Card in a keynote conversation on May 15 during the organization’s upcoming Music Biz 2023 conference May 15-18, 2023 at the JW Marriott Nashville.

BMAC’s Music Industry Action Report Card (MIARC) takes an assessment of companies throughout various sectors of the music industry including major label groups, DSPs, the Recording Academy and more, on how thoroughly they have followed through on June 2020 public promises to elevate Black employees, financially commit to racial justice initiatives, and/or take other steps to rectify racism in the workplace, as well as how they’ve continued to build on those initial commitments in ways that will create sustained change in the business.

Monday’s Keynote Speakers will include:

  • Naima Cochrane, Board Member, BMAC; MIARC Author; Music & Culture Journalist
  • Kelle Rozell, Chief Marketing & Storytelling Officer, Color Of Change
  • Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Co-Founder & Co-Chair, BMAC; CEO, 50/50 Music Group Management

In addition to the MIARC reveal, representatives from the Academy of Country Music, mtheory, and Tennessee State University will be on-hand to discuss initiatives and changes that have positively impacted DEI efforts in the the Nashville community, such as ACM OnRamp, mtheory’s Equal Access Development Program, and TSU’s Music Accelerator.

“In just three short years, BMAC has proven to be an essential voice in combating systemic racism and shaping a more inclusive music industry community,” says Music Biz President Portia Sabin. “While we wish and strive for a world where this type of research is no longer necessary, we’re grateful to BMAC for choosing the Music Biz stage as the place to debut this important data, and look forward to working together to make it actionable.”

All three keynote interviews at Music Biz 2023 will be led by Sabin and held under the Music Biz LIVE banner. Kobalt Founder & Chairman Willard Ahdritz has been confirmed for a keynote conversation on May 16 that will kick off with a special presentation by Luminate CEO Rob Jonas, who will walk attendees through the most notable global music industry data points for the year so far. Indie artist LU KALA; Jillian Rutstein, Director, Digital & Creative Synch for Prescription Songs and Amigo Records; and Tracy Gardner, Head of Label Licensing & Partnerships for TikTok, will participate in the final keynote interview on May 18.

To date, more than 700 music industry companies from nearly 30 countries have committed to attending the four-day event, which will mark the Association’s 65th Anniversary and its 10th year under the “Music Biz” moniker—tt was known as NARM, or the National Association of Recording Merchandisers, until 2013.

2023 also marks the addition of the Music Biz Roadshow on May 18 which will be presented in conjunction with CD Baby’s DIY Musician VIP Experience and is sponsored by The MLC. This afternoon-long program will gather thought leaders from across the globe in one place to share tools and tips that artists and their teams can implement to boost their careers.

More than 350 global industry figureheads are confirmed to participate in the event. Speakers joining the program include Whitney-Gayle Benta (JKBX); Natalia Nataskin (Primary Wave); iconic artist, DJ, and producer Prince Paul; Shuman Ghosemajumder (TeachAids, Fmr. Google click-fraud czar); Tony D. Alexander and David Porter (Made in Memphis Entertainment); Robin Stout (Intellectual Property Office); Caroline Champarnaud (SACEM); Michele Ballantyne (RIAA); SK Sharma (Ingrooves); and Kris Ahrend (the MLC).

After a successful debut in 2022, Music Biz will present the 2nd Annual Bizzy Awards dinner on the evening of May 17. The program was revamped to highlight good works done to advance the business of music and bolstering DEI initiatives, and features a crowd-sourced nomination process for seven award categories. The evening’s festivities will be co-hosted by Noelle Scaggs, co-lead vocalist for Fitz and the Tantrums, an Elektra solo recording artist, and founder of Diversify the Stage; and Tracey Ottomey, a Nashville-based drag queen and host of the “Gay Space” Podcast.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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