POWER UP has announced the latest set of music creators, industry professionals and executives to join its Participant Programme.
The POWER UP programme, co-founded by PRS Foundation and Ben Wynter in 2020 to address anti-Black racism and racial disparities in the music industry, seeks to elevate pioneering Black talent across the sector.
Among the different types of support being offered by the programme — which is specifically designed to fit the needs of each annual cohort of participants — 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.
The likes of Nova Twins, Speech Debelle and Donae'o are all existing members of the programme, as is broadcaster Jamz Supernova, AIM board member Despa Robinson and artist and label manager Lesley-Anne O’Brien.
POWER UP’s Year 4 cohort has been announced today (20 June), ensuring that the Participant Programme is now a 160-person strong network. You can see the full list of the 40 new POWER UP participants below.
Music creators
ALT BLK ERA
Arowah
BAELY
brownbear
Dot Inc
James Perry
Jords
JULS
Lloyd Luther
Mirari
Mysie
namesbliss
Nat Maddix
Noushy
Nwando Ebizie
SCRUFIZZER
Seckou Keita
T.Williams
Tomike
Winnie Ama
Yazmin Lacey
Music industry professionals
Abi Lufadeju
Alexandria Carr
Amanda Kiflay
Aqwea
CassKidd
Channette Carleo
Dotun Bolaji
Gemma Bradley
Goziam Okogwu
Jelani Brown / JB Wassifa
Julian Gill PKA Esco Williams
Jumi Akinfenwa
Kaiya Milan
Latisha Pemberton
Michael Bailey
Kemi Davies
Trey
Vanessa Maria
Vincent Olutayo
Speaking about the news, Ben Wynter said: ‘As we move into our fourth year of POWER UP, I am incredibly proud of the brilliant selection of Year 4 participants. This initiative has been recognised Europe-wide as an award-winning program, and the quantitative evidence of our POWER UP Fellows successes across various sectors in the industry proves that when Black talent is given an opportunity to succeed, it thrives.
‘At a time when the commitments of 2020 to create a more equitable and equal music industry appear to have been forgotten, POWER UP underscores the impact and pathways we want to see in our industry. I urge the industry to finally back POWER UP, as there is little more we can do to prove the initiative’s impact. That said, I am excited to see the continued growth and achievements of our brilliant new cohort.’
You can read a recent M interview with Ben Wynter about POWER UP here.
