Black Lives in Music (BLiM) has appointed a new board and taskforce.
The organisation was set up in 2020, with the aim of addressing racial inequality in the music industry, while also creating opportunities for Black, Asian and ethnically diverse musicians and professionals.
In a new move, BLiM has welcome a new board, and a fresh take force. Founders Charisse Beaumont (Chief Executive) and Roger Wilson (Director Of Operations) are joined by a raft of new names, each with their own specialism within music and the creative industries.
The board now includes James Joseph (Chair), Moses Oyediwura (Vice Chair), Janeace Thompson, Dr Kienda Hoji, and Orphy Robinson MBE. The task force is larger, and includes key figures such as Mercury nominated jazz figure Shabaka Hutchings.
“We are thrilled to welcome our new board and taskforce to Black Lives in Music,” says Charisse Beaumont. “We are consistently expanding our activities and campaigns, ultimately with an aim of making the UK music industry a safe and equal place to work. Our collective strength lies not only in our leadership across music, charity, legal, finance, people and culture, education, but also in our unparalleled prowess in business and entrepreneurship.”
“Yet, our quest for exceptional leaders continues as we seek to expand our influence across the music sector. The sort of experience and influence that these talented individuals bring to us will be invaluable for projects like our Anti-Racism Code Of Conduct, 10 Point Orchestral Planand the forthcoming Bullying and Harassment Survey. Our dedication stems from a deep-seated care for the music industry and it’s future. At Black Lives in Music, we’re not just challenging the industry, we’re redefining it.”
BLiM’s Roger Wilson adds: “The board of Black Lives in Music have played a significant role in its ongoing success. We’re proud to announce our most recent appointments. They are all accomplished individuals – change makers with stellar career profiles. We’re confident that they will be significant in their contribution to our organisation. Their energy, knowledge and experience will be key drivers in their support of our work. We welcome them and look forward, still more positively as we continue on our journey to achieving transformational change in the UK music sector.“
BLiM produced a seminal piece of research in 2021’s ‘Being Black in the Music Industry’ survey – the largest ever survey of data focused on the experiences of Black musicians and industry professionals. Read it in full online.
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