The music industry — built on a foundation of love for music created by artists of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, and sexual orientations — is uniquely poised to help make a truly diverse and inclusive America a reality, if we choose to do so. Our Driving Change event brought together music business executives and thought leaders for action-based conversations about how we can take meaningful steps to support underrepresented communities in our industry, and what we can learn from each other to help institute much-needed change.
Day 1 Welcome & Sponsor Presentation
Chandra Culpepper, Porsche Cars North America
Keynote Interview
Jeff Harleston, Universal Music Group
Porsche Power Break & Live Performance
Artist: Bren Joy
Panel: Equitable HR Practices
How can HR departments in our industry create a diverse candidate pipeline? And what is being done in the HR space that can provide actionable insights and best practices for companies that don’t have in-house HR? This panel brings together leaders in the HR space to discuss ways change can be made from the very beginning, as well as looking at diversity and inclusion throughout the company over time.
Panelists
Elicia Felix-Hughey, Sony/ATV
Valeisha Jones, The Recording Academy
Jeffrey Soto, Sony Music Entertainment
Tuesday Roundtables
1) Is The Conversation Changing?
A panel of game-changers will discuss how (or if) gender disparity in Country music has improved over the last five years. The panel will analyze data on diversity in Country, explore challenges for women in Country, and reveal predictions for upcoming trends.
Moderators
Tracy Gershon, Change the Conversation
Leslie Fram; CMT, Change the Conversation
Beverly Keel; MTSU College of Media, Change the Conversation
Panelists
Todd Cassetty, Song Suffragettes
RJ Curtis, CRS
Nicolle Galyon; Songs and Daughters, Producer & Songwriter
Kalie Shorr, Independent Recording Artist
Dr. Jada Watson, Researcher
Rachel Whitney, Spotify
2) The Evolving Queer Voice in Music
GLAAD’s Anthony Ramos speaks with some of today’s emerging LGBTQ artists about feeling empowered to create music based on their own authentic experiences.
Moderator
Anthony Ramos, GLAAD
Panelists
Asiahn, Artist
Peppermint, Artist
Fletcher, Artist
Bright Light Bright Light, Artist
3) How to Create a Diverse & Inclusive Workplace Culture
Join us for a roundtable discussion about what it means to create the most equitable and inclusive workplace culture to best serve employees, leaders, and the bottom line. What companies are doing it well? Where can we all improve? From supporting working parents, to prioritizing a diverse workforce, respecting boundaries for mental health, and so much more, learn how we can all start creating a more equitable and inclusive industry today.
Moderator
Nicole Barsalona, Women in Music
Panelists
Nikisha Bailey, APG/Atlantic
Kameelah Benjamin-Fuller, PTC
MaryBeth Ferrante, WRK/360
Maria Gironas, Q&A
Jeff Hammer, Northwestern Mutual
Day 2 Welcome & Sponsor Presentation
Erin Cloherty, Porsche Experience Center Atlanta
Keynote Interview
Dina LaPolt, Entertainment Attorney
Porsche Power Break & Live Performance
Artist: Shelly Fairchild
Panel: The Importance of Health Care and Mental Health Care In Setting the Stage for Equity
Historically, musicians and professionals in the live touring industry have had limited access to health care, and with the pandemic of 2020 this issue has been highlighted. On this panel we bring together industry people and professionals in the health and mental health spaces to discuss the foundational nature of this issue to conversations about equality and change. How can people without health care be strong advocates for change in this industry? How is physical and mental well-being critical to a more equitable future?
Panelists
Tatum Allsep, Music Health Alliance
Jerome Crooks, Touring Professionals Alliance
Matt Doherty, Touring Professionals Alliance
Patsy Dolan Bouressa, SIMS Foundation
Amber Woodhouse; Singer, Trigger Hippy
Wednesday Roundtables
1) Asian American Collective Roundtable
This will be a roundtable discussion about representation, mentorship, and breaking barriers. Participants will share their stories of coming up in the music business as well as goals for the future, both personally and for our community.
Speakers
Zeena Koda, Co-Founder, Asian American Collective
Grace Lee, Co-Founder, Asian American Collective
Caroline Yim, Co-Founder, Asian American Collective
Mia LeBlon Noir, Creative Director, Asian American Collective
2) BMAC: The State of the Music Business and the Broader Society
Moderator
Cassie Petrey, Crowd Surf
Panelists
Prophet; Black Music Action Coalition, 50/50 Music Group Management
Amina Diop; Diop Agency, Republic Records
Max Gousse, Artistry Group
Leron Rogers; Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA), State Bar of Georgia’s Entertainment and Sports Division
Courtney Stewart; Right Hand Music Group & The Right Hand Foundation, Keep Cool Records
3) The Elephant on the Row — hosted by Nashville Music Equality
Join Nashville Music Equality for a hard and honest conversation about race from the perspective of executives, fans, and performers in the Country and Nashville music industry.
Moderator
Shannon Sanders; 2x GRAMMY Award-winning producer, Nashville Music Equality
Panelists
Ed Brunson, Brunson Food Group
Gina Miller; Entertainment One, Nashville Music Equality
Wendy Moten, Multi-Talented Vocalist/Songwriter
Rissi Palmer, Singer/Songwriter
Candice Watkins, Big Loud Records
Day 3 Welcome & Sponsor Presentation
Jane Yi, Porsche Cars North America
Keynote Interview
David Porter & Tony Alexander, Made in Memphis Entertainment (MIME)
Porsche Power Break & Live Performance
Artist: Gabe Lee
Diversity SuperPanel
The Diversity SuperPanel is designed to allow participants to hear from many diverse voices in our industry. We have invited a representative from each partner organization plus people from other sectors of the industry to have a robust discussion of the topics raised throughout the event.
Panelists
Michelle Arkuski, She Is The Music
Nicole Barsalona, Women in Music
Jeremy Blacklow, GLAAD
Binta Brown; Omalilly Projects, Black Music Action Coalition
Saeed Crumpler; Rasputin Music, Record Store Day
Tracy Gershon, Change the Conversation
Grace Lee, Asian American Collective
Erika Montes, Soundcloud
Shannon Sanders, 2x GRAMMY Award-winning producer, Nashville Music Equality
Noelle Scaggs; Fitz and the Tantrums, Diversify The Stage
