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Quincy Jones, Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, Antony Blinken, Advocacy, Recording Academy, Harvey Mason jr.

The global initiative will promote diplomacy through music worldwide and will also feature the American Music Mentorship Program, which will see Recording Academy professionals and members provide mentorship opportunities to international participants.

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<span>Continuing its mission to ensure that music remains an indelible part of our culture around the world, the Recording Academy has partnered with the U.S. Department of State and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken to help launch the</span> [<span>Global Music Diplomacy Initiative</span>](https://www.state.gov/music-diplomacy/)<span>, an international initiative that will promote peace, diplomacy and democracy through music worldwide. Using music as a diplomatic tool globally, the initiative will leverage public-private partnerships to create a music ecosystem that expands economic equity and elevates the creative economy, ensures societal opportunity and inclusion, and increases access to education. The Global Music Diplomacy Initiative will also build on existing public diplomacy music programs to create partnerships with American companies and nonprofits to convey American leadership globally and create connections with people worldwide.</span>

<span>The Global Music Diplomacy Initiative also includes the American Music Mentorship Program, a partnership between the State Department and the Recording Academy, which will bring international mid-career music industry professionals and musical artists to the United States for mentorship and networking opportunities. The program will invite Recording Academy professionals and members to provide international participants with mentorship opportunities and professional development.</span>

<span>See a full outline of the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative below.</span>

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<blockquote class='instagram-media' data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink='https://www.instagram.com/p/CxuJVBnunO5/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading' data-instgrm-version='14' style=' background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);'><div style='padding:16px;'> <a href='https://www.instagram.com/p/CxuJVBnunO5/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading' style=' background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;' target='_blank'> <div style=' display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;'> <div style='background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;'></div> <div style='display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;'> <div style=' background-color: #F4F4F4; 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<span>Secretary Blinken announced the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative Sept. 27 during a lively</span> <span>celebration</span> <span>at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.</span> <span>He signaled the start of the inaugural event by highlighting its attendees. "We have a few dignitaries come through this building, but it is a special treat to have so many members of music</span> *<span>royalty</span>* <span>here tonight," he said excitedly.</span>

<span>The evening engendered a melodic blend of music, peace and policy. The private event featured breathtaking performances from </span>[<span>Dave Grohl</span>](https://www.grammy.com/artists/david-grohl/11637)<span>, </span>[<span>Herbie Hancock</span>](https://www.grammy.com/artists/herbie-hancock/9477)<span>, </span>[<span>Mickey Guyton</span>](https://www.grammy.com/artists/mickey-guyton/287274)<span>, </span>[<span>Armani White</span>](https://www.grammy.com/news/armani-white-lil-wayne-a-milli-cover-performance-hip-hop-redefined)<span>, and many other leading American and international artists. U2's </span>[<span>Bono</span>](https://www.grammy.com/artists/bono/788)<span> shared a special video message from Las Vegas as well.</span>

<span>Singer/songwriter </span>[<span>Aimee Mann</span>](https://www.grammy.com/artists/aimee-mann/4344)<span> performed her 1999 song "Save Me" with the admission that she was "deeply honored but also a bit freaked out to be here."</span>

<span>Perhaps less nervous, Secretary Blinken added that he couldn't "pass up" the one-in-a-lifetime chance to "combine music and diplomacy," as he performed </span>[<span>Muddy Water's</span>](https://www.grammy.com/artists/muddy-waters/6890)<span> 1954 classic, "Hoochie Coochie Man."</span>

<span>"If this doesn't clear the house, I don't know what will," Blinken said playfully ahead of his performance.</span>

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<span>In addition to the performances, Secretary Blinken and Recording Academy CEO</span> [<span>Harvey Mason jr.</span>](https://www.grammy.com/artists/harvey-mason-jr/4668) <span>presented 28-time GRAMMY winner</span> [<span>Quincy Jones</span>](https://www.grammy.com/artists/quincy-jones/11020) <span>with the inaugural Peace Through Music Award.</span>

<span>A collaboration between the Department and the Recording Academy, the award recognizes and honors an American music industry professional, artist, or group that has played an invaluable role in cross-cultural exchanges and whose music work advances peace and mutual understanding globally.</span>

<span>"His work, his actions continue to advance peace through music, and I am sure they will for generations to come," Mason jr. said. "It's my true honor to recognize my friend and mentor, Mr. Quincy Jones, as the first-ever recipient of what will now and into the future be known as the Quincy Jones Peace Through Music Award."</span>

**<span>Read More: </span>**[<span>Mogul Moment: How Quincy Jones Became An Architect Of Black Music</span>](https://www.grammy.com/news/mogul-moment-how-quincy-jones-architected-black-music)

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<span>The Global Music Diplomacy Initiative was developed pursuant to the bipartisan</span> [<span>Promoting Peace, Education, And Cultural Exchange (PEACE) Through Music Diplomacy Act</span>](https://www.recordingacademy.com/advocacy/news/peace-through-music-diplomacy-act-passes-congress-presidents-desk)<span>, which</span> [<span>was championed</span>](https://www.recordingacademy.com/advocacy/news/20th-annual-grammys-on-the-hill-harvey-mason-jr-jimmy-jam-terry-lewis) <span>by the Recording Academy and its members in</span> [<span>2022 at GRAMMYs On The Hill</span>](https://www.recordingacademy.com/advocacy/news/grammys-on-the-hill-washington-dc-2022-what-went-down-recap) <span>and during the annual grassroots</span> [<span>District Advocate Day</span>](https://www.recordingacademy.com/advocacy/news/district-advocate-day-2022-recap-impact-new-york-chapter-congressman-nadler)<span>. The legislation, introduced by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Tex.), was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden in December 2022.</span>

<span>Here's a complete breakdown of the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative:</span>

* **<span>American Music Mentorship Program</span>**

<span>The American Music Mentorship Program, a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the Recording Academy, will bring international mid-career music industry professionals, which may include musical artists, to the United States for mentorship and networking opportunities, with an aim to cultivate a professional music industry ecosystem locally and globally, to support creative talent, and to strengthen the creative economy globally. It will leverage the networks and experience of Recording Academy professionals and members to provide international participants mentorship opportunities, boost their technical skills, and build the foundation for professional networks.  The first American Music Mentorship Program will be held in the fall of 2024.</span>

* **<span>Fulbright-Kennedy Center Visiting Scholar Award in Arts and Science</span>**

<span>The Fulbright Program, the United States' flagship international academic exchange program, will collaborate with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to create a new fellowship opportunity for foreign scholars.  The new Fulbright-Kennedy Center Visiting Scholar Award in Arts and Science will focus on the intersections of the arts (music, dance, theater, etc.) and science, including how the arts can contribute to individual and global health and well-being, and the environment. An award competition will be announced in fall 2023, and the Kennedy Center will host the first scholar in academic year 2024-25.</span>

* **<span>Boosting English-Language Learning Through Music</span>**

<span>Recognizing the strategic importance of English-language learning overseas, especially for youth and underserved communities, the Department will incorporate music into its existing $40 million investment in English-language learning worldwide, including through exchanges, curriculum, and scholarships to provide access to English-learning classes for promising students between the ages of 13 and 20.</span>

<span>The Department will augment broader global English-language learning by supporting Sing Out Loud, a program that provides resources for teaching English through music in collaboration with American Music Abroad (AMA), bringing music and lyrics into classrooms across the world.</span>

<span>In addition to the Secretary's announcements, the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative will include vast programming around the world, including:</span>

* **<span>Arts Envoys to Travel to the Middle East, People's Republic of China</span>**

<span>Herbie Hancock, along with Dee Dee Bridgewater and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Ensemble at the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA), will be performing in Jordan in October to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1963 Jazz Ambassador tour of the Duke Ellington Orchestra.</span>

<span>The Herbie Hancock tour will then travel to Saudi Arabia for a four-day Arts Envoy program – the first of its kind between the United States and Saudi Arabia.</span>

<span>From November 9-18, 2023, The Philadelphia Orchestra is slated to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its historic 1973 tour of the People's Republic of China (PRC) with Ensemble Performances and Residency Activities in multiple cities in the PRC.</span>

* **<span>Ten American Bands to Travel to 30 Countries Starting in October Through American Music Abroad; AMA Academy Cleveland to Host Young Professional Musicians from Ukrainian Diaspora</span>**

<span>Beginning in October 2023 and representing multiple genres, Birckhead, The Beatbox House, The Invisibles, Marielle Kraft, Matthew Whitaker, Pipeline Vocal Project, Raining Jane, Sihasin, Sub-Radio, and Tap Music Project will travel to 30 countries from October 2023 through June 2024.</span>

<span>In November 2023, the 2023 American Music Abroad Academy Cleveland will bring together young professional musicians from the Ukrainian diaspora and around the world for collaboration and mentorship opportunities from American instructors with a focus on cultural preservation through music. Learn more about AMA</span>[<span> here</span>](https://exchanges.state.gov/us/program/american-music-abroad)<span>.</span>

* **<span>Next Level to Use Hip Hop in Nigeria, Bring International Artists to the U.S. to Focus on Conflict Transformation</span>**

<span>In September 2023, four U.S. hip hop artists focusing on conflict transformation will travel to Lagos for a two-week Next Level Academy.  In addition, 10 international participants will travel to Washington, D.C. and New York, New York for a two-week professional development program on conflict transformation through hip hop. Learn more about Next Level</span>[<span> here</span>](https://exchanges.state.gov/us/program/next-level)<span>.</span>

* **<span>Scaling Social Entrepreneurship Projects, Strengthening Creative Economy Through OneBeat</span>**

<span>From November 6-20, 2023, musicians from Ghana and Nigeria will come together to collaboratively create and discuss how music can bring people together through social entrepreneurship projects, as part of the OneBeat program. Learn more about OneBeat</span>[<span> here</span>](https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/onebeat)<span>.</span>

* **<span>Harmundi International Music Summit to Welcome Students from Every Continent in November 2023</span>**

<span>Virtually connecting more than 60 international students from every continent through music, the Harmundi Summit will provide intense music training, cross-cultural collaboration, studio recording, and live performances under the mentorship of world-class musicians and producers.  The Summit, which will take place November 3-5, 2023, will be led by alumni of the Department's exchanges, and is part of the Department's Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund.  This fund provides grants of up to $10,000 for public service projects that utilize the skills, knowledge, and networks exchange alumni gained through their exchange experiences.</span>

*<span>Learn more about the </span>[<span>Global Music Diplomacy Initiative</span>](https://www.state.gov/music-diplomacy/)<span>.</span>*

[<span>How Vice President Kamala Harris And The Recording Academy Celebrated The 50th Anniversary Of Hip-Hop: 'Hip-Hop Culture Is America's Culture'</span>](https://www.recordingacademy.com/news/vice-president-kamala-harris-recording-academy-50th-anniversary-hip-hop-celebration-recap)

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Inside The Global Music Diplomacy Initiative

The Recording Academy Partners With U.S. Secretary Of State Antony J. Blinken To Launch The Global Music Diplomacy Initiative; Quincy Jones Awarded Inaugural Peace Through Music Award

Recording Academy Appoints Todd Dupler To Chief Advocacy & Public Policy Officer

In his role, Dupler oversees the Advocacy division focused on championing creators’ rights and elevating important policy issues that stand to affect the music community.

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<span>Recording Academy Advocacy always aims to advance and evolve in its fight for music people worldwide — and that involves an exciting new role for a key leader.</span>

<span>The Recording Academy has appointed Todd Dupler as Chief Advocacy &amp; Public Policy Officer, effective immediately.</span>

<span>In his role, Dupler oversees the Advocacy division focused on championing creators’ rights and elevating important policy issues that stand to affect the music community.</span>

<span>He also orchestrates cross-departmental efforts to advance the overall advocacy goals of the Recording Academy and coordinates state and local advocacy with the Academy’s 12 regional Chapters.</span>

<span>“Through his remarkable tenure of nearly 12 years at the Academy, Todd has proven his unwavering commitment to accelerating change within the music community,” said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy.</span>

<span>“His guidance has been vital to the Academy’s year-round efforts of advocating for creators’ rights and advancing pro-music legislation,” Mason continued. “I’m proud to have Todd as our Chief Advocacy &amp; Public Policy Officer, and I look forward to seeing how our Advocacy team will continue to serve and impact the music industry under his leadership.” </span>

<span> Dupler previously served as the VP of Advocacy &amp; Public Policy and Acting Chief Advocacy &amp; Public Policy Officer for the Recording Academy since December 2021, leading the Academy’s team in Washington, D.C., and coordinating all the Academy’s advocacy and government affairs efforts.</span>

<span>Since taking the role, Dupler has expanded the Academy’s state and local advocacy work, resulting in new pro-music laws in multiple states, including California’s landmark Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act.</span>

<span>He also relaunched and reinvigorated the Academy’s signature advocacy programs, GRAMMYs on the Hill and District Advocate. Under his leadership, these initiatives supported the passage of the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act, which was signed into law at the end of 2022.</span>

<span>Joining the Academy in 2012, Dupler has helped secure legislative achievements such as the Music Modernization Act and the Better Online Tickets Sales Act, and launched the GRAMMY Fund for Music Creators, the Academy’s political action committee.</span>

<span>Dupler has over 25 years of experience in Washington, D.C., and extensive knowledge of Capitol Hill and the legislative process. Prior to joining the Academy, he served on the legislative staffs of two members of Congress and a United States senator, including serving as the legislative director to the chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet.</span>

<span>In this role, Dupler helped facilitate negotiations to reform copyright law, and was a liaison to stakeholders in the creative industries. In addition, he was also a presidential appointee at the U.S. Department of Labor and has experience in state government.</span>

<span>He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and serves on the board of the Copyright Alliance. He also previously served on the board of the Texas State Society of Washington, D.C. He received a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center and a bachelor of arts degree in history and political science from Baylor University.</span>

<span>The Recording Academy congratulates Todd Dupler on this thrilling development, and can’t wait to see how he can further Advocacy’s efforts to fight for </span>*<span>all</span>*<span> music people.</span>

[<span>District Advocate Day Is Back On Oct. 5: How The Annual Advocacy Day Will Benefit Music People Worldwide</span>](https://www.recordingacademy.com/advocacy/news/district-advocacy-day-back-october-5)

Recording Academy Appoints Todd Dupler To New Role

District Advocate Day Is Back On Oct. 5: How The Annual Advocacy Day Will Benefit Music People Worldwide

Year over year, District Advocate Day has directly led to positive change for the music community. Here’s how to get involved on Oct. 5.

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<span>The Recording Academy's District Advocate Day is returning on Thursday, October 5th.</span>

<span>District Advocate Day, the largest grassroots advocacy movement for music and its makers, gives Recording Academy members an opportunity to visit the local district offices of their elected members of Congress and discuss the pressing issues facing the music community.</span>

<span>Last year, almost 2,000 Recording Academy members participated in </span>[<span>District Advocate Day</span>](https://www.recordingacademy.com/advocacy/news/district-advocacy-day-2022-looking-ahead-what-to-do-next) <span>— making it one of the largest District Advocate Days to date. Over the course of the activation, Academy members reached 75 percent of Congress by meeting with nearly 200 congressional offices across 45 states.</span>

<span>Year over year, District Advocate Day has directly led to positive change for the music community. In 2022, Recording Academy members advocated for the passage of the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act, a bill designed to use music and music-related global exchange programs as a tool to build cross-cultural understanding and advance peace abroad. Just two months later, </span>[<span>Congress passed the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act</span>](https://www.recordingacademy.com/advocacy/news/peace-through-music-diplomacy-act-passes-congress-presidents-desk) <span>as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2023.</span>

<span>In 2020, Recording Academy members successfully urged Congress to provide billions in COVID relief for music makers and music small businesses when they needed it the most. And in 2019, the House of Representatives passed the CASE (Copyright Alternative in Small Claims Enforcement) Act just weeks after we advocated for it during District Advocate.</span>

<span>This bill, which passed the House of Representatives 410-6 before getting signed into law, created a small claims court for copyright cases — a huge win for artists who otherwise did not have the means to protect their work from infringement or theft.</span>

<span>This October, Recording Academy members will continue these efforts as they advocate for key issues facing the music community such as artificial intelligence and decriminalizing artistic expression.</span>

<span>Registration is open now until September 8th</span> <span>for all active members of the Recording Academy including Voting, Professional, and Student members. Members interested in and registering, or to learn more, can </span>[<span>click here</span>](https://events.recordingacademy.com/district-advocate)<span>.</span>

<span>Even if you are not a member of the Recording Academy, you can still fight for creator’s rights by </span>[<span>contacting lawmakers</span>](https://www.recordingacademy.com/advocacy/act) <span>in support of music makers. We also encourage you to continue checking out our </span>[<span>Advocacy page</span>](https://www.recordingacademy.com/advocacy) <span>for additional ways to stay involved!</span>

[<span>How The Recording Academy Is Helping Ensure Music Creators Are Top Of Mind When It Comes To AI And Copyright Law</span>](https://www.recordingacademy.com/advocacy/news/how-the-recording-academy-helps-music-creators-amid-ai-copyright-law)

District Advocate Day Is Back On Oct. 5

Texas Chapter Heads To Oklahoma City To Connect State Officials With Music Community

The purpose of the trip was to meet with state government officials to build up the relationship between the Oklahoma music community and state leaders.

Texas Chapter - Oklahoma City - Body Text

<span>On Aug. 21st, Recording Academy members of the Texas Chapter — which encompasses both Texas and Oklahoma — headed to Oklahoma City to meet with state government officials to build up the relationship between the Oklahoma music community and state leaders.</span>

<span>In attendance with the Recording Academy were</span>

* <span>Taylor Hanson, Texas Chapter President and GRAMMY Nominee</span>

* <span>Kitt Wakeley, Texas Advocacy Committee Co-Chair, GRAMMY winner, and Texas Chapter Governor</span>

* <span>Paul Wall, Recording Academy National Trustee and GRAMMY nominated rapper</span>

* <span>Tamera Bennett, Texas Chapter Advocacy Committee Co-Chair, Entertainment Attorney, and Board Advisor,</span>

* <span>Christee Albino, Texas Chapter’s Executive Director</span>

* <span>Brendon Anthony, Director of the Texas Music Office</span>

<span>The group began the day at Oklahoma’s State Capitol to meet with Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell and the Deputy Director of the Oklahoma Film and Music Office, Jeanette Stanton.</span>

<span>During the meeting, they discussed the importance of the music community in Oklahoma, ways the state can continue to be involved in supporting the music community, and how the Recording Academy can be a resource for ensuring artists’ voices are heard.</span>

<span>Following the meeting, the group headed to the Governor’s Mansion for an Oklahoma Music Mixer. There, music makers from around the state — including legendary artist and two-time GRAMMY nominee Wanda Jackson — had the chance to connect further with the Lieutenant Governor and meet other state legislators including State Representative and Chair for the Appropriations and Budget Committee, Kevin Wallace, and State Senator Grant Green.</span>

<span>Not only did this gathering allow the legislators a chance to connect with their constituents, but the Recording Academy was able to shine a light on what Oklahoma brings to the music community as a whole.</span>

<span>As part of the program, Christee Albino, Taylor Hanson, Kitt Wakeley, and Paul Wall participated in a panel discussion on the Recording Academy and how Oklahoma Academy members and music creators can get involved. Specifically, the group highlighted the Recording Academy’s</span>[<span> District Advocate Day</span>](https://www.recordingacademy.com/advocacy/news/district-advocacy-day-back-october-5)<span> which will take place next month on October 5th. The program also included remarks from Lieutenant Governor Pinnell.</span>

<span>Overall, the Recording Academy’s Texas Chapter had a successful day building up the relationship between the music community and Oklahoma officials and looks forward to continuing to work with them moving forward.  </span>

[<span>The Copyright Royalty Board Has Published Their Determination On Phonorecords III — Here’s What That Means For Songwriters</span>](https://www.recordingacademy.com/advocacy/news/copyright-royalty-board-determination-phonorecords-iii-songwriters-impact)