The Recording Academy and Color of Change announce roadmap for racial justice in the music industry

The Recording Academy and US racial justice organisation Color of Change have announced the #ChangeMusic RoadMap —an initiative that aims to create racial justice within the music industry.

According to the groups’ mission statement, the purpose of the initiative is to “work to increase the number of Black people and other underrepresented groups in key roles in the Academy, its affiliates, and across the broader industry (i.e., voting members, musicians, producers, recording engineers and other recording professionals).”

The groups also want to ensure “greater equity by increasing representation of Black people and other underrepresented groups in critical roles throughout the broader music industry,” and also “identify and dismantle systemic barriers to representation and equitable treatment of Black people and other under-represented groups across the industry.”

The Recording Academy have received backlash over the last number of years from artists like Kanye West, Drake and Nicki Minaj for their lack of recognition for the work of Black musicians.

The Color of Change Roadmap also includes planned investment in Black careers, funding for anti-racist training events, the establishment of pay equity and an increase in the number of Black people in leadership roles.

“In a year of uprising, sickness, and distance, music has been both a healing force and a call to action. It’s helped us process our pain and drive social change. This moment offers an unparalleled opportunity to change patterns of exclusion and degradation and take action toward progress,” Color of Change President Rashad Robinson said in a press release.

“To honour and amplify Black artists’ past, present, and future contributions, the music industry must tear down the barriers that have been up for far too long. #ChangeMusic is our first step.”

Harvey Mason jr., Chair & Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy, added:

"Change cannot wait. We believe this roadmap will be key to driving progress in the Academy and the music industry. It was developed over the last few months with the goal of holding ourselves accountable. The roadmap is intended to serve as an important tool to support the changes we must urgently make together in music."

The upcoming Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, January 31st, 2021.