Register now for Part 2 - Breaking Down Racial Barriers x Music BC on Thursday September 21st (1pm PDT - 4pm EDT).

@Music_BC is partnering with BDRB to facilitate a series of virtual roundtable discussions on anti-Black racism in British Columbia’s music and entertainment industry.

The series is presented by Music BC and supported by @breakoutwest and The Canadian Independent Music Association (@cimamusic75) and @advancemusicca, Canada’s new Black Music Business Collective, with additional support from @creativebcs and the Province of British Columbia, and @factorcanada and the Government of Canada.

Part-2 of the series will continue with the following participants:

Roundtable 2: Thursday September 21st - 1pm (PST)

Featuring:

Checkmate – Artist

@checkmatethehustler

-

Denise Goldberg - Audio Engineer & CEO Denzin 8 Productions Inc.

@djdenise35

-

Krystle Dos Santos – Artist

@krystledossantosmusic

-

Ndidi Cascade - Artist, Hip-Hop Educator & Curator

@ndidithecascadian

In an effort to advance equity in the region's music industry, Music BC has supported the BDRB facilitated series to have difficult, yet critical, conversations in an effort to identify the structures and behaviours that perpetuate anti-Black racism.

Roundtables will address key areas of the entertainment industry and barriers faced by Black music professionals - with highlighted themes and key take-aways captured.

All sessions will be held online via Zoom, and are completely free to attend. For more information or to register for this free series, please visit https://musicbc.org

Register now for Part 1 - Breaking Down Racial Barriers x Music BC on Thursday September 14th 2023 (1pm PDT - 4pm EDT).

@Music_BC is partnering with BDRB to facilitate a series of virtual roundtable discussions on anti-Black racism in British Columbia’s music and entertainment industry.

The series is presented by Music BC and supported by @breakoutwest and The Canadian Independent Music Association (@cimamusic75) and @advancemusicca, Canada’s new Black Music Business Collective, with additional support from @creativebcs and the Province of British Columbia, and @factorcanada and the Government of Canada.

Roundtable 1: Part 1 - Thursday September 14th - 1pm 2023 (PST)

Featuring:

Buk Nkosi - Founder, Chaos Club Digital & Holdr

@buk.cc

Johnny Black - Talent Buyer, Timbre Concerts

@johnnyblack_

Mavis Harris - Founder & Publicist, Nice Marmot PR

@mavismelvis

Teon Gibbs - Artist, Label Owner, Culture Con Director

@teongibbs100

In an effort to advance equity in the region's music industry, Music BC has supported the BDRB facilitated series to have difficult, yet critical, conversations in an effort to identify the structures and behaviours that perpetuate anti-Black racism.

Roundtables will address key areas of the entertainment industry and barriers faced by Black music professionals - with highlighted themes and key take-aways captured.

All sessions will be held online via Zoom, and are completely free to attend. For more information or to register for this free series, please visit https://musicbc.org

The Breaking Down Racial Barriers (BDRB) initiative is facilitating a roundtable panel discussion on anti-Black racism in Saskatchewan’s music and entertainment industry. The series is presented by SaskMusic and supported by BreakOut West and The Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) and ADVANCE, Canada’s new Black Music Business Collective, with additional support from FACTOR.

Initiated, curated and coordinated by Canadian music and entertainment community mainstays Ian Andre Espinet and David “Click” Cox, BDRB discussions are CENTRED in the voices and lived experiences of working Black music professionals. To build an inclusive, economically viable Canadian music and entertainment industry, it is critical to address the anti-Black racism that exists in the systems and working environments within which Black music professionals and creatives operate.

In an effort to advance equity in the region's music industry, SaskMusic has supported the BDRB facilitated series to have difficult, yet critical, conversations in an effort to identify the structures and behaviours that perpetuate anti-Black racism.

The Roundtable will address key areas of the entertainment industry and barriers faced by Black music professionals - with highlighted themes and key take-aways captured.

Taking place on Monday August 28th, 2023 (6:00pm Sask Time), with the following participants:

Monday August 28th, 2023

- KYRIEL (PIMPTON) ROBERTS, Artist & Video Director

- PRINCE BANKS, Artist Manager/Producer

- FIYINFOLUWA OBAYAN, Artist

- ZOCHI, Artist

Registration Link in Bio.

The roundtables will engage in difficult, yet critical conversations in an effort to identify the structures and behaviours that perpetuate anti-Black racism within the music entertainment industry in Saskatchewan.

#registernow #saskmusic #diversityinclusion #equity #EDI #regina #saskatoon #saskatchewan #antiblackracism

Music, art, and activism have always gone hand in hand but weaving activism and social good into your tour, releases, all-around artist development strategy and company ethos – takes a lot more care and precision. These 3 speakers have steered major social good and activism campaigns as musicians, managers, and nonprofit leaders. Don’t miss this critical discussion filled with actionable insights, ways to get involved, and key learnings.

Caitlin Stone Jasper | Partner & Head of Activism, Activist Artists Management

David ‘Click’ Cox Founder/Director of BDRB, CLK Creative Works

Karen Bliss | Canadian Correspondent, Billboard

Peter Katz

Samantha Slattery | Founder & Chair Emeritus, Women in Music Canada

@Alberta_music is partnering with @bdrbinitiative to facilitate a series of virtual roundtable discussions on anti-Black racism in Alberta’s music and associated creative industries.

Initiated, curated and coordinated in association with Breaking Down Racial Barriers (BDRB) entertainment community mainstays Ian Andre Espinet and David “Click” Cox, these discussions will be CENTRED in the voices and lived experiences of working Black music professionals from the vast segments of music entertainment.

The series is  presented with promotional support from CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association)  and ADVANCE, Canada’s new Black Music Business Collective. Alberta Music invites members of the Black community, all stakeholders, peer and partner organizations from across the national industry to support the initiative.

Taking place on May 30th and June 1st respectively, with participants representing Southern & Northern Alberta via Calgary, Edmonton and surrounding areas, the roundtables will engage in difficult, yet critical conversations in an effort to identify the structures and behaviours that perpetuate anti-Black racism within the music entertainment industry in Alberta. 

ROUNDTABLE 1: Tuesday May 30th

NICHOLA LORIMER (NiLo) (Edmonton)
Founder: Afrodisiac Natural Shop/Melanistic Magazine
@melanisticmagazine
-
FEMI BODE-GEORGE (Calgary)
Director: Icarus Sound Entertainment
@femibg
-
NATHALIE TAIT (Edmonton)
Programs & Development Manager, Edmonton Jazz Festival Society
@nathalietait
-
MOURAINE (Edmonton)
Artist
@mouraine_

ROUNDTABLE 2: Thursday June 1st

ARLO MAVERICK (Edmonton)
Artist
@arlomaverick
-
SINZERE (Calgary)
Artist
@sinzereofficial
-
BENI JOHNSON (Calgary)
Event Producer/Culture Builder
@beneeejay
-
NUELA CHARLES (Edmonton)
Artist
@nuelacharles

These sessions will take place virtually on May 30th and June 1st, with participants representing Southern & Northern Alberta via Calgary, Edmonton, and surrounding areas. The roundtables will engage in difficult yet critical conversations in an effort to identify the structures and behaviours that perpetuate anti-Black racism within the music entertainment industry in Alberta. Register today via link in bio.

Promotional assistance is provided by @cimamusic75 and @advancemusicca, Canada’s Black Music Business Collective, with support from @factorcanada and the Government of Canada.

#registernow #albertamusic #calgary #edmonton #southernalberta #northernalberta

Alberta Music is facilitating a series of roundtable discussions on anti-Black racism in Alberta’s music and associated creative industries.

Initiated, curated and coordinated in association with Breaking Down Racial Barriers (BDRB) entertainment community mainstays Ian Andre Espinet and David “Click” Cox, these discussions will be CENTRED in the voices and lived experiences of working Black music professionals from the vast segments of music entertainment.

The series is  presented with promotional support from CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association)  and ADVANCE, Canada’s new Black Music Business Collective. Alberta Music invites members of the Black community, all stakeholders, peer and partner organizations from across the national industry to support the initiative.

Taking place on May 30th and June 1st respectively, with participants representing Southern & Northern Alberta via Calgary, Edmonton and surrounding areas, the roundtables will engage in difficult, yet critical conversations in an effort to identify the structures and behaviours that perpetuate anti-Black racism within the music entertainment industry in Alberta. 

ROUNDTABLE 1: Tuesday May 30th

NICHOLA LORIMER (NiLo) (Edmonton)
Founder: Afrodisiac Natural Shop/Melanistic Magazine
@melanisticmagazine
-
FEMI BODE-GEORGE (Calgary)
Director: Icarus Sound Entertainment
@femibg
-
NATHALIE TAIT (Edmonton)
Programs & Development Manager, Edmonton Jazz Festival Society
@nathalietait
-
MOURAINE (Edmonton)
Artist
@mouraine_

ROUNDTABLE 2: Thursday June 1st

ARLO MAVERICK (Edmonton)
Artist
@arlomaverick
-
SINZERE (Calgary)
Artist
@sinzereofficial
-
BENI JOHNSON (Calgary)
Event Producer/Culture Builder
@beneeejay
-
NUELA CHARLES (Edmonton)
Artist
@nuelacharles

These sessions will take place virtually on May 30th and June 1st, with participants representing Southern & Northern Alberta via Calgary, Edmonton, and surrounding areas. The roundtables will engage in difficult yet critical conversations in an effort to identify the structures and behaviours that perpetuate anti-Black racism within the music entertainment industry in Alberta. Register today via link in bio.

Promotional assistance is provided by @cimamusic75 and @advancemusicca, Canada’s Black Music Business Collective, with support from @factorcanada and the Government of Canada.

#registernow #albertamusic #calgary #edmonton #southernalberta #northernalberta

CIMA x BDRB present: "Next Steps" Equity | Diversity | Inclusion

DATA COLLECTION + ANALYSIS

In this, the 10th and final workshop in CIMA x BDRB “Next Steps” Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Workshop series, we will explore the role of race-based data collection and its centrality to the BDRB Declaration and Report.

We will explore the importance of responsible collection, analysis, and use of this data in identifying and eliminating systemic and structural racism within companies and organizations in the music and creative industries, and the ways in which the lack of such data perpetuates systemic racism; as well as the steps which can be taken to diminish and ultimately eliminate it.

Participants will learn about the ways in which race-based data can uncover inequity, improve outreach, and access, and inform policy and service provision, grant programs and jury selection processes, and increasing representation of systemically excluded music and creative industries professionals.

Overall, this workshop will equip participants with a starting point in the collection, analysis and use of race-based data in uncovering inequity and increasing representation of systemically excluded music and creative industries professionals.

WORKSHOP AUDIENCE:

Media practitioners and journalists in print, digital, new media, tv, radio & broadcast including but not limited to: Journalists, Production and Production Teams, Reporters & Announcers, Editors & Producer and Publicists working in the media sector.

WORKSHOP LED BY: IAN ANDRE ESPINET AND DAVID CLICK COX (BDRB)

SUBJECT AREA EXPERT:

KOJO INSTITUTE: KIKE OJO-THOMPSON

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cima-presents-bdrb-next-steps-tickets-333859632147

CIMA x BDRB present: "Next Steps" Equity | Diversity | Inclusion

MEDIA: Print & Digital Journalists, TV & Broadcast & Radio

The 9th in the BDRB x CIMA “Next Steps” Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Workshop series, we explore the equity (and the creation of) in the media sector - from within the spaces that create it, and externally where it is ingested - and how this impacts the music industry in Canada.

We will explore the environments where media is created, delving into representation and decision making power, hiring, access and systems, procedure & policy change and practical solutions for decision makers wishing to create change. 

We will discuss how media institutions can impact change, unpacking how the media influences our views on racism and shapes our views of People of Colour in society, the pervasiveness of racism and bias in the media, and how these impact us in the music and creative industries.

Finally, we will discuss the relationship between media and the music industry and how change to media systems can drive the music industry to more equitable outcomes for music industry professionals, artists and companies and how YOU, the independent music industry can make change with respect to media in your spaces.

If you purchase media, advertisers, interact with publicists, or utilize media, this workshop is for you. It is also for music professionals working in the music space and creative industries: print & digital journalists, tv, broadcast and radio who interact with Black, Indigenous and People of Colour media professionals or service rationalized groups in media creation.

WORKSHOP AUDIENCE:

Media practitioners and journalists in print, digital, new media, tv, radio & broadcast including but not limited to: Journalists, Production and Production Teams, Reporters & Announcers, Editors & Producer and Publicists working in the media sector.

WORKSHOP LED BY: IAN ANDRE ESPINET AND DAVID CLICK COX (BDRB)

SUBJECT AREA EXPERT:

KOJO INSTITUTE: KIKE OJO-THOMPSON

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cima-presents-bdrb-next-steps-tickets-333859632147

In order to shift the balance of power in any system, it is necessary to understand where the gaps in equity lie, and to lay that information out in a way that unquestionably clarifies the need for action. 

In this presentation, folks who have conducted recent studies of racial barriers in the music industry describe the processes they undertook, obstacles they faced, and lessons they learned on the road to releasing their findings, and how those reports and studies are leading to actionable, measurable solutions addressing inequity within the music industry.

Thursday Feb 2 | 2:30-3:30 PM | Brookside

Panelist presentations

• Nicole Auger - Indigenous Music Summit/Canadian Live Music Association - Bridging the Gap Report

• Ian Andre Espinet  - Breaking Down Racial Barriers - BDRB Report on Anti-Black Racism: Volume 1

• Michelle Conceison - Representation in the Americana Radio Charts

Topics for discussion

• Process

• Breadth vs. Depth

• Interpretation

• Community-based method

CIMA x BDRB present: "Next Steps" Equity | Diversity | Inclusion

MUSIC SUPERVISION: Sync, Film, TV, Gaming

The 8th in the BDRB x CIMA “Next Steps” Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Workshop series, we look at the creation of equity within the music synchronization sector. 

We will explore the lack of representation/hiring of music supervisors of diverse backgrounds and musical genres, the difficulties faced by Black, Indigenous and People of Colour  professionals attempting to enter the sector, gatekeeping, and the data needed to address equity in the sector.

As CIMA’s Next Steps is a SOLUTION-BASED workshop series, our subject expert, equity specialist, and BDRB will also provide PRACTICAL, ACTIONABLE SOLUTIONS that you can utilize in your organization. 

WORKSHOP AUDIENCE:

Lawyers, Music Supervisors, Composers, TV & Film Production Companies, Publishers, Gaming Companies, Music Representation for Sync, Brand Partnerships Agencies, Record Labels, Independent & Major Labels, Funding Bodies & Associations.

WORKSHOP LED BY: IAN ANDRE ESPINET AND DAVID CLICK COX (BDRB)

SUBJECT AREA EXPERT: EVERTON LEWIS JR

KOJO INSTITUTE: KIKE OJO-THOMPSON + DR HAMIDA HANDA

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cima-presents-bdrb-next-steps-tickets-333859632147

THE LIVE SPACE: Promoters, Venues, Concerts, Festivals, Agents and Sponsorship

In this, the 7th and final in the BDRB x CIMA “Next Steps: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion” Workshop series for 2022, we delve into equity in all arenas of the live music sector. 

From nightclubs, concerts, festivals, & conferences, and public and privately owned venues to booking agents & artist management, unions and the pipeline (sound & audio, stage, lighting) and how media impacts equity in the live space, we will discuss barriers faced by Black, Indigenous and other racialized music artists and professionals, and ACTIONABLE SOLUTIONS which companies and organizations can execute on their path to equity.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cima-presents-bdrb-next-steps-tickets-333859632147

EVERYTHING ARTIST RELATED

The BDRB Roundtables unearthed that Black musicians are impacted by barriers to progression. 

 Black artists report being pigeonholed into genres such as R&B and hip-hop, while structural barriers mean that Black and ethnically diverse people are underrepresented in senior industry positions. They are paid less on average for their artistic work, hired less frequently (when compared to white Artists), have reduced access to media spaces and exist within a system of Canadian arts and funding institutions which are overwhelmingly white in their governance. 

While all artists who identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) face similar barriers, it is of importance to recognize the unique position represented by Black music artists, who, more than any other group, produce a lions share of the intellectual property and cultural creation in this country. 

In this, the 6th workshop in the CIMA x BDRB "Next Steps: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion" series, we turn the gaze to Artists. We will discuss practical solutions which the music community can utilize in creating and achieving diversity and inclusion objectives en route to a truly equitable and representative music industry.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cima-presents-bdrb-next-steps-tickets-333859632147

ECONOMICS: Funding Bodies and Music Organizations

The 5th in the BDRB x CIMA “Next Steps” Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Workshop series we turn our attention to funding bodies (including grants and bursaries), music and other organizations who provide services and programs to artists, music professionals and organizations within Canada.

 In this workshop, we will discuss the factors that impede BIPOC application and successful competition for funding, and specific actions that can be undertaken by organizations to increase BIPOC representation in grant funding bodies and organizations who create programming. We will also discuss thought processes for the creation of programs and tailored activities which increase BIPOC application and funding and assist in bridging the gap in infrastructure for these communities.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cima-presents-bdrb-next-steps-tickets-333859632147

FAIR TREATMENT & ETHICS

The 4th in the CIMA Next Steps Workshops series focuses on the concept of Ethical and Fair Treatment in the music and creative industries for marginalized groups. The entertainment industry has vocalized its commitment to equity - however, this goal cannot be achieved without changing the culture of unfair and unethical treatment, which, albeit historically prevalent across the entire landscape, has an even more adverse and damaging impact for groups which have been excluded, underrepresented and disadvantaged by systemic racism.

WORKSHOP LED BY: IAN ANDRE ESPINET AND DAVID CLICK COX (BDRB)

SUBJECT AREA EXPERT:
MARIAH COMER partner at LaPolt Law, P.C | EB REINBERGS Business & Entertainment Lawyer at Three60Legal Lawyers & Notaries Public

HUMAN RESOURCES - Representation + Procedures

The 3rd in the CIMA Next Steps Workshops series, we turn our attention to one, if not, the most important aspects of creating equity in the Canadian music and creative industries, HUMAN RESOURCES. We will look at how to diversify your HR  - whether you are a solopreneur or a corporation with an HR Department, we will discuss the process of reviewing and revising your policies and procedures to make them inclusive to all. For companies with existing Human resource departments, we will ponder diversity WITHIN the space, and how lack of diversity can impact the overall equity proposition.

WORKSHOP LED BY: IAN ANDRE ESPINET AND DAVID CLICK COX (BDRB)

SUBJECT AREA EXPERT: JASON MURRAY - PRESIDENT + MANAGING PARTNER BIPOC EXECUTIVE SEARCH

FOUNDATIONS IN EQUITY - PART 2: Anti-Black Racism

CIMA cordially invites its members, signatories of the BDRB Declaration and the greater Canadian music industry to CIMA “NEXT STEPS”, a FREE equity-focused monthly professional development workshop series.

With the goal of increasing understanding of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in the Canadian music industry, this 10-part workshop series will discuss and develop ACTIONABLE solutions and recommendations for staff and leadership of micro, small & large companies and organizations.

“Next Steps” will build on the tenets set out in the BDRB Declaration and Report with an expanded lens for Black, Indigenous, API and other systemically excluded groups, and delve into equity within the varied arenas of the Canadian music industry.

Moderated by BDRB, workshops will pair music industry insight from experts & leaders with training components delivered by equity consultants from the KOJO Institute.

FOUNDATIONS IN EQUITY - PART 1

CIMA cordially invites its members, signatories of the BDRB Declaration and the greater Canadian music industry to CIMA “NEXT STEPS”, a FREE equity-focused monthly professional development workshop series.

With the goal of increasing understanding of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in the Canadian music industry, this 10-part workshop series will discuss and develop ACTIONABLE solutions and recommendations for staff and leadership of micro, small & large companies and organizations.

“Next Steps” will build on the tenets set out in the BDRB Declaration and Report with an expanded lens for Black, Indigenous, API and other systemically excluded groups, and delve into equity within the varied arenas of the Canadian music industry.

Moderated by BDRB, workshops will pair music industry insight from experts & leaders with training components delivered by equity consultants from the KOJO Institute.

BDRB - WINNER #ForTheLoveOfLIVE Award - Coalition/Collaboration

Presented by Canadian Music Week (CMW) and the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) for championship and advocacy work helping to enhance the interests of the live music industry.

Thank you to CLMA & CMW for the honour. And thank you to our partners at Canadian Independent Music Association, our supporters at ADVANCE , the MIA's and industry associations across the country, signatories of the BDRB Declaration, and Radio Starmaker Fund, Ontario Creates, and FACTOR (Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings).

In this panel, Breaking Down Racial Barriers founders David “Click” Cox & Ian Andre Espinet will present the FINDINGS of the CIMA commissioned BDRB report on anti-Black racism in the Canadian music industry. We will discuss recommendations for creating a more equitable music industry, practical everyday actions that small companies and corporations can utilize, and “Next Steps”, Canadian Independent Music Association‘s upcoming FREE industry EDI professional development workshops for the industry, aimed at building a more equitable Canadian music industry.

The Breaking Down Racial Barriers (BDRB) initiative will facilitate the fourth and final roundtable in a series addressing anti-Black racism in Canada’s East Coast music and entertainment industry. Through nationwide consultation with artists and leading industry professionals, the roundtable series has woven together a powerful, collective narrative that tells the experience of Black Canadian music professionals with regional nuance.

Initiated, curated and coordinated by Canadian music and entertainment industry mainstays Ian Andre Espinet and David “Click” Cox, the Breaking Down Racial Barriers initiative is centred in the voices and lived experiences of working Black music professionals. In an effort to advance equity in the region's music industry, ECMA along with Atlantic music industry associations have given full support to the BDRB facilitated series to curate difficult, yet critical conversations in an effort to identify the structures and behaviours that perpetuate anti-Black racism.

The 4th and final roundtable will aggregate the findings to create actionable recommendations for change which will be shared with peer & partner organizations and the wider community.