Black Music Action Coalition’s ‘Report Card’: Major Labels Move to Diversify; Publishing, Live Entertainment Show Little Improvement
variety.comThania Garcia Today, the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) unveiled the second edition of its Music Industry Action Report Card (MIARC) which observes dozens of organizations in multiple categories — labels, publishers, streaming services, live entertainment and touring, the Recording Academy and more — and how market leaders (and/or those most closely affiliated with Black/urban music, creators and audiences) have taken action to elevate black employees and donate to racial justice initiatives. “Racism, a 400+-year-old disease, will not be cured in 24 months.
However, through music’s reach, power, and influence, our industry can set a new standard of inclusion, diversity, and equity,” writes Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, co-founder/co-chair of the BMAC, in the report card’s introduction. “Our goal is for the MIARC to inform critical changes in the music industry that increase equity and inclusion across areas.” The report card makes its assessments of the Recording Academy and music groups using a letter grading system from A-F in four categories: corporate commitments, partnerships and giving; company representation on a senior level; internal company culture and business practices; and company transparency and public accountability.
Other sectors of the industry are assessed on a scale of E-U (excellent to needs improvement), based on all four categories combined.
Results for the second report card — which observed the United States from June 2021 to 2022, showed some signs of improvement in music groups — with several achieving Bs and As.
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