Universal Music Group (UMG) and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative are expanding their partnership to study systemic racial inequality in the music business, and how to create much-needed change.
Over the next several months, the partners plan to examine all facets of the industry -- major and independent music companies, labels and publishers, digital platforms, radio and live promoters; as well as artists' teams (including managers, agents, attorneys and publicists) -- to determine the extent to which people of color are excluded from leadership positions. Annenberg will issue a report of the findings, providing recommendations for how the music industry can those inequalities.
"There are currently gaps in access and opportunity for people of color, especially Black executives, in the music business” said Dr. Carmen Lee, an affiliated faculty member with the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and the lead researcher for this project. "Beyond placing a spotlight on these discrepancies, we must illuminate how the lack of people of color in key roles thwarts inclusion throughout the industry. I am eager to lead the charge, flanked by the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, and in partnership with Universal Music Group, a company with a proven track record for change."