PROGRAM AIMS TO PROVIDE MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND DONATIONS TO HBCU STUDENTS AND MUSIC PROGRAMS
SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (APRIL 3, 2023) — The Recording Academy®'s Black Music Collective (BMC) together with Amazon Music relaunch their "Your Future Is Now" scholarship program for the third consecutive year. The program is designed to provide students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) the opportunity to explore all facets of the music industry. Established in 2021, the program offers students networking opportunities with revered music industry leaders, including an immersive rotational program with Amazon Music and Recording Academy department leads. This year, five HBCU students will be selected to take part in the program and will each be awarded a $10,000 scholarship. In addition, the BMC and Amazon Music will award two HBCUs $10,000 grants each for equipment for their music programs.
"We are thrilled to bring back the 'Your Future Is Now' scholarship program in collaboration with Amazon Music for a third year," said Rico Love, Vice Chair of the Recording Academy Board of Trustees and BMC Chair. "With the support of our incredible DEI team Zing Shaw, Ryan Butler and Ricky Lyon, we are committed to leveling the playing field for the next generation of Black musicians and professionals by providing them with invaluable mentorship opportunities and experiences to prepare them for careers in the music industry."
"As a member of the Spelman College family, I know how HBCU networks serve as an ongoing sources of friendship as well as professional support. Projects like the 'Your Future Is Now' scholarship are vital to extending these connections to the next generation of HBCU students," said Phylicia Fant, Head of Music Industry and Culture Collaborations at Amazon Music. "The bonds these students will build as part of the scholarship program will last for decades to come, and Amazon Music is thrilled to be at the forefront of diversity and true and meaningful inclusion."
The scholarship application opens on Monday, April 3. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident currently enrolled at an HBCU pursuing a bachelor's degree in music, music business, business administration, marketing, communications, or a related field of study. All applicants must submit a current and complete grades transcript, a personal statement, a creative video showcasing your creativity, and one online recommendation. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Friday, April 28. Selected scholarship recipients will be announced on Monday, May 8. To apply for the scholarship, visit here.
ABOUT THE BLACK MUSIC COLLECTIVE
The Black Music Collective is a hub for power players in Black music, across all genres, under the GRAMMY roof, bringing together creative geniuses and business leaders to set unified goals, align on a shared agenda, and build community. For more information on the Black Music Collective, visit here. For exclusive content, please join the Black Music Collective's social communities on Instagram and Facebook.
ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY
The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum®, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares®, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards®—music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators.
For more information about the Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @RecordingAcad on Twitter, "like" Recording Academy on Facebook, and join the Recording Academy's social communities on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
ABOUT AMAZON MUSIC
Amazon Music is an immersive audio entertainment service that connects fans, artists, and creators through music, podcasts, and culture. Amazon Music brings fans closer to what they love, with curated and personalized playlists, artist livestreams, artist merch, and Amazon Exclusive podcasts. Prime members get access to over 100 million songs in shuffle mode, All-Access playlists, plus the largest catalog of top ad-free podcasts, included with their membership. Customers can upgrade to Amazon Music Unlimited for full, on-demand access to 100 million songs in HD and a growing catalog of Ultra HD and Spatial audio. Anyone can listen to Amazon Music by downloading the free Amazon Music app, or wherever they listen to music including Alexa-enabled devices. Learn more at www.amazonmusic.com.
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CONTACTS
**Andie Cox**
Recording Academy
andie.cox@recordingacademy.com
Folashade Omosheyin
Recording Academy
folashade.omosheyin@recordingacademy.com
David Marek
Amazon Music
davmarek@amazon.com