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The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, proudly announce the third annual BMAC x Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Music Maker Grants, powered by ASCAP, to be awarded at a “ReStore & ReBuild LA” fundraiser on Wednesday January 29, 2025 in Los Angeles. Funds raised at the event will benefit the BMAC LA Fire Relief Fund, building on BMAC’s five years of direct economic empowerment programs and set to disperse immediate funds to residents and small businesses of the Los Angeles area affected by the ongoing and devastating fires. Support and learn more about the fund HERE. BMAC and the legendary duo will also present their annual grants to emerging Black music talents selected from a nationwide search at the event, presented by BMAC, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, ASCAP, and Wasserman Foundation, with support from Amazon Music Rotation, Def Jam, Harbourview Equity Partners, and IAG. In addition to the opportunity to raise funds to support the LA Fires relief efforts, the event will provide an opportunity to support local Black-owned businesses in LA at a critical time.
The yearly Music Maker awards launched in 2023 in honor of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis’s induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and celebrated emerging songwriter/artist Mondaii as the first Music Maker Grant recipient. As part of a shared commitment to create equity in music, the Music Maker program provides financial support, mentorship, studio time and networking opportunities to Black music producers and songwriters from across the U.S. The 2025 Music Maker Grant recipients will be announced at the event, and BMAC leadership and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis will present the honors to the awardees.
Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, BMAC Co-Founder + President & CEO says, “Black Music Action Coalition is proud to continue our partnership with the incomparable Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to celebrate the future of the music industry and to create a night of healing to raise funds for LA fire relief efforts. Our annual gathering, kicking off GRAMMY Week, is where we will announce this year’s BMAC x Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Music Maker Grant recipients as well as raise funds to benefit the BMAC LA Fire Relief Fund, an urgent and immediate relief fund with a focus on Black residents and small businesses of the LA area affected by the ongoing and devastating fires. We hope to address immediate needs of LA residents, support local businesses and musicians in need of revenue, and to continue our ongoing work to create access and opportunities for the the next generation of songwriters, producers and Artists, emphasizing the importance of not only restoring businesses and rebuilding homes, but restoring hope and rebuilding the spirit.”
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis add, “Music is a divine art that has always played a vital role in healing during times of adversity. From “That’s What Friends Are For” to “We Are the World”, “Wake Up Everybody”, and our own “Optimistic”, songs have the power to uplift and raise our spirits while also providing critical financial support for rebuilding. We encourage these young music makers to create the soundtrack for recovery and healing.”
In 2024, the BMAC x Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Music Maker Dinner was a convergence of music industry titans and renowned artists such as Jermaine Dupri, Babyface, Flavor Flav and Victoria Monét. The night included an impromptu jam session of artists Teedra Moses, Tank, Babyface, Kenny Burns and Flavor Flav jumping up to join for Jam & Lewis hits, in addition to the presentation of the 2024 grant to recipients ZXIRE and Mikaili Ector and the announcement of the BMAC x Victoria Monet Music Maker Grant, expanding the Music Maker Grant platform. Prior events have been attended by the likes of Earving “Magic” Johnson, Giveon, Kenya Barris, Jesse Collins, Sugar Ray Leonard, Stokley, Holly Robinson Peete, Chante Moore, Harvey Mason Jr, Yvette Nicole Brown, Shawn “Tubby” Holiday, John “Big Jon” Platt, Stephen Hill, Alex Avant, and more. Since its announcement in 2022, the BMAC Music Maker Grant program has been featured in Variety, VIBE, HITS, and more.
BMAC is an advocacy organization formed to address systemic racism within the music business on behalf of Black artists, songwriters, producers, managers, agents, executives, lawyers and other passionate industry professionals. Since its inception, BMAC has provided direct economic relief and empowerment through partnerships with The Academy of Country Music via the ‘On Ramp’ program, giving $1,000 a month and mentorship support to emerging Black artists and industry executives in Nashville, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame via the ‘Guaranteed Income Program’, giving $1,000 a month and mentorship support to emerging Black artists and industry executives nationwide, artist GUNNA via the GUNNA x BMAC 30349 Guaranteed Income Program, providing a $500K investment to support 30 families in need in Fulton County, GA, and more. With the annual Music Maker Grant, BMAC continues their efforts to reinforce and champion the contributions Black artists have made in shaping the history of our society.
SUPPORT THE BMAC LA FIRE RELIEF FUND
https://blackmusicactioncoalition.donorsupport.co/page/LAFIRERELIEF
ABOUT BMAC
Black Music Action Coalition (“BMAC”) works to create a unified force of action for racial equity and justice within the music industry and to use the power of our collective voice to improve communities and drive systemic change. BMAC advocates on behalf of Black artists, songwriters, producers, managers, agents, executives, and lawyers to create access, equity and opportunity for Black artists and industry professionals. BMAC works together with business leaders to hold companies accountable and ensure change takes root. BMAC works to drive policy change around social and racial justice and protection of artists with a focus on causes that directly impact Black people and Black communities.
About HarbourView Equity Partners
HarbourView Equity Partners is an investment firm, founded by Sherrese Clarke Soares, focused on opportunities to support premium content across the entertainment, sports, and media markets. The firm seeks businesses or assets powered by IP and investment opportunities that aim to build enduring value and returns. HarbourView has been extremely active since launching in 2021, amassing roughly $1.5 billion* in regulatory assets under management including over 60+ music catalogs to date and investments in two media production companies, MACRO and Mucho Mas Media, both with a mission to center premium storytelling. The firm’s distinctly diverse music portfolio features thousands of titles spanning numerous genres, eras, and artists, amounting to a diversified catalog of ~29,000+ songs across both master recordings and publishing income streams. The company is headquartered in Newark, NJ.
*Regulatory AUM for private funds are calculated regardless of the nature of the gross assets under management. This includes any uncalled committed capital pursuant to an obligation to make a capital contribution to the fund.
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