Media release: BPI Equality Sessions: celebrating Black History Month

UK independent and major record labels association, the BPI, is delighted to announce that the latest in its series of BPI Equality Sessions will take place on Wednesday, 20th October (4pm– 6pm) and will honour Black History Month.

To register for free attendance, please click here.

This virtual event will acknowledge and celebrate the work and changes made to date across the music community to promote greater diversity and inclusion following the industry’s Black Out Tuesday response to the death of George Floyd in June 2020.

Chaired by BPI chief operating officer, MJ Olaore, the event will comprise two panels: ‘Creating a culture of equity and inclusion in record labels’ followed by ‘Changemakers: moving the needle on equity and diversity’. In between, there will be an interview by BPI EJAG member, Sharon Brooks, with recording artist, Jords, who will discuss his free school uniform initiative.

All the panel speakers will be invited to discuss their work and initiatives to date, and also reflect on the successes, continuing challenges and any changes they’ve been encouraged by, as well as sharing actionable insights with attendees.

The BPI Equality Sessions aim to shine a light on individuals and initiatives that are making a difference in their fields and are paving the way for new generations to thrive in a more diverse and inclusive music business. Sessions to date have taken ‘Women in the music industry’ and ‘Celebrating Pride’ as their themes.

Panel one – speakers confirmed to date include:

* Reni Adadevoh, vice-president, Legal and Business Affairs at Warner Music International and co-chair of their Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic employee resource group; and

* Caeshia St Paul, marketing manager for BMG.

Interview with recording artist, Jords, discussing his free school uniform initiative, Sharon Brooks will be interviewing Jords, who performed the song, Black & Ready, to critical acclaim in support of Black Lives Matter. He has been an advocate for Black history to be included in the School Curriculum and launched the free school uniform initiative.

Panel two: Moderator and speakers:

* Moderator – Sharon Brooks, owner/media consultant – Swiss Media UK;

* Speakers: Ammo Talwar MBE, CEO Punch Records, chair UK Music Diversity Taskforce, BPI Council member;

* MJ Olaore, chief operating officer, BPI; and

* Yaw Owusu, director and executive manager, The Playmaker Group and senior manager, Power Up (PRS Foundation).

ENDS

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Contact: BPI

Email: gennaro.castaldo@bpi.co.uk