The Academy of Country Music is partnering with the Black Music Action Coalition in the launch of a guaranteed income program for 20 young, Black members of the music community, the organizations announced today.
The program, called OnRamp, will focus on “improving inclusivity and equity” within the Nashville music industry, according to the joint announcement, with the goal of empowering “the next generation of leaders in the early stages of their careers by granting access to professional development opportunities, community mentorship, and other opportunities to increase personal growth, industry exposure, exclusive Academy membership panels and tentpole live events, and visibility with Academy Board members and industry leaders.” In addition, each participant in the program will receive a $1,000 monthly stipend for one year.
The partnership comes three years after the founding of the Black Music Action Coalition, an organization created to put the principals of the Black Lives Matter movement into action within the music industry.
The country music industry, in particular, has faced considerable criticism in recent years over its lack of diversity, an issue that became especially pointed in 2021 when the genre’s latest superstar, Morgan Wallen, was caught on video using the N-word.
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