Music Industry Moves: Recording Academy Names Ryan Butler VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Def Jam Partners With Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free to Sign Tanna Leone

variety.com:

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe Recording Academy has announced the appointment of Ryan Butler as vice president of diversity, equity & inclusion, effective immediately.

He fills a role previously occupied by Valeisha Butterfield Jones, who was promoted to co-president last year, and to whom Butler will report.Butler leads diversity, equity and inclusion internally and externally for the Recording Academy and its affiliates.

He is responsible for enterprise-wide diversity and inclusion efforts and ensuring the Academy’s core value of diversity, equity and inclusion remains embedded throughout all aspects of the organization, including internal staff culture, Membership, Awards, Advocacy, and related programs.

He also sets national and Chapter goals to accelerate outcomes for underrepresented communities and creators. “We are so proud to have Ryan as our Vice President of DEI,” said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. “His passion and leadership have been instrumental to the huge strides in diversity, equity and inclusion we’ve accomplished over the past two years and we’re excited to see how he’ll continue to enhance our commitment to the music community.”Butler joined the Academy in 2019 as a key member of the advocacy and public policy team and later served as director then senior advisor of the diversity, equity & inclusion department.