POWER UP: applications open for Year 4 of Participant Programme

Applications have opened for Year 4 of POWER UP, the network which supports and champions Black music creators and industry professionals.

Co-founded by PRS Foundation and Ben Wynter to address anti-Black racism and racial disparities in the music industry, POWER UP’s Participant Programme seeks to elevate pioneering Black talent across the sector.

The likes of Nova Twins, Speech Debelle and Donae'o are all members of the programme, as is broadcaster Jamz Supernova, AIM board member Despa Robinson and artist and label manager Lesley-Anne O’Brien.

Among the different types of support being offered by the programme are grants of up to £15,000, capacity-building masterclasses, mentoring, coaching, mental health and wellbeing support, as well as support from the wider POWER UP network.

Applications are now open for Year 4 of POWER UP's Participant Programme, which you can find more information on here. Applicants are also being encouraged to attend a series of online workshops that will feature POWER UP's Senior Manager Yaw Owusu, details of which can be found below:

Monday 26 February

5pm-6pm: POWER UP Participant Programme Insight Session (for Welsh applicants) w/ Aleighcia Scott

6:30pm-7:30pm: POWER UP Participant Programme Insight Session (for Scottish applicants) w/ Sami Omar (UP2STNDRD)

Wednesday 28 February

6:30pm-7:30pm: POWER UP Participant Programme Insight Session (for all UK-based applicants) w/ Donae'o

Speaking about Year 4 of POWER UP, Ben Wynter said: ‘POWER UP was conceived to confront the systemic anti-black racism deeply embedded in the UK music industry. It’s crucial to acknowledge and celebrate the early strides POWER UP has made, both among its participants and across the broader industry landscape. Witnessing the empowerment of Black talent as they break through glass ceiling barriers has been truly inspiring.

‘However, as discussions around anti-black racism wane in some circles, it’s vital to reiterate the importance of supporting initiatives like POWER UP. Without collective industry backing, achieving true equity and equality will remain a distant goal.

‘I take immense pride in the POWER UP fellows who’ve emerged from our participant program, along with the impactful collaborations we’ve fostered with companies such as YouTube Music, Beggars, Black Music Coalition, the UK Arts Councils, industry trade bodies and Spotify. From leading discussions on Joe Rogan and anti-black racism to contributing to significant policy discussions such as the IPO Government round table on streaming and industry reform, our efforts are influencing change.

‘Moreover, IMPALA’s recommendation for a POWER UP initiative in every European country underscores the program’s efficacy. As we open applications for year four, I urge the industry to rally behind us in creating a landscape where POWER UP becomes obsolete—a testament to an industry truly committed to inclusivity and equality.’

Joe Frankland, CEO of PRS Foundation, added: ‘We’re delighted to have opened the applications for Year 4 of the POWER UP Programmes. The POWER UP Network is going from strength to strength laying a foundation of support for the future.

‘The Network is having some great results and that is in part to the diversity of Participants from around the UK, across genres and disciplines. So, I strongly encourage more people from the nations and regions of the UK to apply.’

You can read a recent M interview with Ben Wynter about POWER UP here.