Today, more than ever, the vibrant mosaic of Black voices at the heart of the Canadian music industry need to be amplified. ADVANCE, Canada’s Black Music Business Collective, is a newly formed non-profit organization that aims to provide a unified voice for Black people working in the Canadian music industry, and to lead the change for real, tangible Black advancement and reform in the music business landscape and infrastructure in corporate, private and government sectors.
Membership in the organization is open to self-identifying Black persons working in all branches of Canadian music. ADVANCE works to address and find solutions for the vast cultural gap, lack of mobility, and lack of representation in the Canadian music business, not only for professionals currently employed in the industry, but also for budding entrepreneurs. The organization aims to assist entrepreneurs in helping grow their businesses, in an effort to provide more sustainable opportunities for Black employment within the Canadian music landscape, and groom future professionals for roles in the business within companies that do not currently have any Black presence.
ADVANCE’s goals include, but are not limited to, creating equal opportunities and pipelines within companies for Black employees; making anti-Black-racism education programs mandatory; changing policies for fair and equitable access to the funding system; and supporting the Black music community through financial means. To accomplish the objective, ADVANCE has established four pillars of action:
- Advocacy & Government
- Mentorship & Education
- Community Outreach
- Business Development & Entrepreneurship
ADVANCE Mission Statement
Driven by the heart, soul, and sounds of Black voices across Canada’s music entertainment industry,
ADVANCE, Canada’s Black Music Business Collective, is leading the change in developing an infrastructure for the betterment, upliftment, and retention of Black people in the music business. Serving as a unified front for Black people working within all sectors of the Canadian music industry, ADVANCE creates conditions for long-term success by addressing racial equality and inclusivity through four areas: Advocacy & Government, Mentorship & Education, Community Outreach, and Business Development & Entrepreneurship. By holding the corporate, private, and government sectors accountable, ADVANCE is committed to building a more equitable Canadian music industry that grants Canada’s Black music communities a fair and valued voice in a consistently growing music nation.
For more information, and/or to subscribe for further communications please contact connect@advancemusic.org