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Fostering Change Together Through ADVANCE , Canada ’ s Black Music Business Collective
By Keziah Myers
July 2021 marks one year since the launch of ADVANCE , Canada ’ s Black Music Business Collective . The organization arose at a time when there was a need for change in the music industry , and answered the call to amplify the impact that Black music has had on the global music industry . The organization has positioned itself to partner with music industry organizations to bring in more diverse talent . ADVANCE was birthed out of the need the industry had to have Black representation “ off stage ,” mimicking the Black representation “ on stage .”
In 2020 , the organization was ready to launch , and with the onset of COVID-19 , was put on hold . Then George Floyd died , and on June 2 , 2020 , two music industry executives – Jamila Thomas from Atlantic Records and Brianna Agyemang from Platoon – championed # theshowmustbepaused , where Black squares were shown to signify the influence of Black people and their contributions to the music industry . Here in Canada , a group of music industry professionals were planning the launch of an organization that would continue the conversation , and push the needle towards equity . That summer , ADVANCE was officially created .
Mission & Vision Serving as a unified front for Black professionals in the Canadian music industry , ADVANCE works to create long-term success for its members by addressing racial inequality and exclusion . It does this through three areas : advocacy , mentorship , and community outreach . In essence , ADVANCE is committed to building an equitable and thriving music industry in Canada .
Advocacy ( What Are We Doing ?) ADVANCE is advocating on behalf of Black professionals in the music industry . It ’ s working with industry partners to break structural barriers , which give opportunity to the Black community . This brings their voices and needs to the table . This collaborative work , with the entire industry , will help to create long-term change and accountability . Efforts are focused on working with all levels of government to ensure that Black professionals are given the tools needed to enter and excel within the music industry .
Since 2020 , ADVANCE has been working with a music industry supergroup , comprised of provisional organizations , labels , collectives , and industry associations to discuss Bill C-10 , legislation that will amend the Broadcasting Act . The recommendations focus on a radio system based on supporting diversity and emerging artists , amongst other things . ADVANCE has also been an advisor in major research studies commissioned by Music Canada and the Canadian Live Music Association . ADVANCE will also be conducting various types of market research .
Programming ( How We Serve ) ADVANCE focuses on programming that provides professional development and supplemental education for music industry professionals . There are panels , webinars , and the ADVANCE Music Professional and Entertainment Dialogues ( AMPED ) one-day summit on June 19 th that aimed to educate the Black music business community . Our focus is also to educate / mentor members to navigate the industry , and uplift them in spaces where they may not be familiar .
Partnerships with music organizations are meant to amplify the voices of Black people . These are crucial to increasing touch points , and cross-promoting to reach multiple audiences of varying demographics , ages , and careers . Since inception , we have produced ADVANCE Amplify , a monthly series telling the stories of lesser-known Canadian masterminds ; curated CMW Panels on the value of radio and on how Black professionals can create opportunities for themselves while staying safe ( mentally ); developed ADVANCE x Juno Talks : The Influence of Black Music for Juno Week ; organized the # PlayBlack initiative , which includes a 12-hour marathon , and also focuses on collaborating with radio stations to add new Black artists to their rotation throughout June ( Black Music Month ); created the AMPED summit to up the skills of our membership ; sponsored membership programs ; and presented the Traditional R & B Award at the Junos .
Community ( What Can You Do ?) ADVANCE has a voice within the music community , and we urge you to use yours . Speaking out against injustice , standing in the gap ,
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doing the work to be a better ally , are all ways that you can be an agent of change . On June 2 , 2021 , was the signing of the Breaking Down Racial Barriers ( BDRB ) Declaration . This was a day when over 275 companies rallied together to commit to a concerted effort to end Anti-Black Racism . This came out of a qualitative study completed last year , when 60 Black professionals in the music industry were interviewed in the Breaking Down Racial Barriers series . The episodes were watched live by many CEOs and C-suite executives to gain insight into the Black experience in all facets of the entertainment industry , and now it is time to act . You can collect race-based data , review policies and procedures , and possibly change hiring , retention , and promotion practices , so we can jointly move towards equity .
Keziah Myers is the Executive Director at ADVANCE , Canada ’ s Black Music Business Collective .
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