Breaking Down Racial Barriers (BDRB) is proud to announce the launch of F.A.M.E. (Foundations & Acceleration for Management Excellence), a new free national incubator program designed to strengthen capacity, leadership and sustainability for Black Canadian music artist managers.

Made possible with funding from Ontario Creates and FACTOR and the administrative support and program expertise of Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI), F.A.M.E. will provide intensive training, mentorship and industry access. Facilitated by pioneering music manager Katrina Lopes, participants will gain the practical skills, networks and confidence needed to grow their management businesses and support artists on a global scale.

“F.A.M.E. was created to equip Black music managers in Canada with the tools and resources to build stronger careers and foster more success stories. F.A.M.E. is about access, mentorship, and community - so managers can thrive and lead the next generation of Canadian music” said BDRB Co-Founder/Program Manager David Cox.

With a combination of practical knowledge, a critical educational component and a unique cultural lens, F.A.M.E. will foster innovative problem-solving skills to tackle future challenges the music industry has yet to identify - from disruptive technologies to new models of artist sustainability and equity. F.A.M.E. will also build the competence of participants to the level required for export missions. 

“Developed from the ground up with a detailed curriculum specifically curated to the needs of Black music artist managers from the perspective of Black music industry professionals who have successfully navigated the industry”, said Ian Andre Espinet, BDRB Co-Founder.