Kinfolk Nashville Writers Camp Celebrates Black Music Month With Inaugural Songwriter Camp

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Kinfolk Nashville Writers Camp.

Kinfolk, an Employee Resource Group of Warner Music Group, hosted its inaugural Kinfolk Nashville Writers Camp, a three-day songwriting and industry intensive designed to amplify Black voices.

Held June 24–26 primarily at Warner Chappell on Music Row, the camp brought together more than 50 artists, songwriters and producers across genres.

The guest lineup featured leading creatives and mentors, including Willie Jones, Ron Gilmore Jr., Shannon Sanders, Yung Lan, Derek Minor and Mimi McCarley.

Educational sessions included “Shifting Sounds,” a panel on Nashville’s evolving music scene, moderated by Joe Major (101.1 The Beat), with Benji Amaefule, Thalia Ewing and Shannon Sanders; “Master Class with Ron Gilmore Jr.,” the acclaimed producer and musician known for work with J. Cole and Lauryn Hill; “Music Publishing 101,” led by Oronde Jenkins (WMG), covering copyright law, publishing deals and royalties; and “Sync Licensing 101,” moderated by Chandel Shanklin (WMG), with panelists Derek Minor, John “JMo” Moses, John Mero, Ben Short and Mimi McCarley, diving into music for film, TV and games.

The camp invited hand-selected students from local HBCUs Tennessee State University and Fisk University to participate alongside industry professionals.

Summer Joy Roberts, Kyleigh Jehlicka. Photo: Samad Dimbie Jr

Shifting Sounds Industry Panel 1 (Benji Amaefule, Shannon Sanders, Thalia Ewing, Joe Major)

Sam Hayes. Photo: Samad Dimbie Jr.

Pictured (L-R): Oronde Jenkins, Jalen Miller, Johnny Reynolds, Chandel Shanklin, Jada Wilson, Benji Amaefule. Photo: Samad Dimbie Jr.

Lauryn Sink
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