Butterfield Jones: We are also shifting our thoughts around to equity and inclusion — making sure that once you are part of the Recording Academy, you have the opportunity to break that ceiling and get into leadership roles within the academy. We want to get more folks into the room. But we also want to make sure there’s a pathway to leadership once they get in the door.
Which goals can the BMC accomplish immediately, and which will be more long term?
Butterfield Jones: The North Star is to earn the trust of the Black music community. Being able to move that needle in one year and have more Black representation in the room will be progress. I’m here because many different powerful Black women paved the way. We’re focused on making sure that people that look like us have a seat at the table and real positions of influence. And then from there, setting clear, five-year goals for building more Black representation because of that trust.
Johnson: We’ve established BMC’s purpose through what we call the Five A’s: align with the Black music community, attract new members to develop future elected leaders, amplify the voices of Black creators and professionals, activate new and existing Black music creators and professionals within the academy, and accountability.
Lee: Many people look at the academy and the music industry in much the same way they look at sports: Most of the players are Black, and most of those in charge are white males. When we can change that narrative, then there’ll be progress.
Johnson: I would love for the Black music community to say, “The Recording Academy is me”; that this is a home for them. And to put it in cultural terms, I want the community to say the Recording Academy is dope.
Morales: This next generation needs to see themselves in positions of power and influence, whether it’s as a creative or an executive. They need to be able to see one of their own and say, “I can achieve that.” Despite the positive reaction we’ve been getting, reality sets in pretty quickly that we can’t just rest on those laurels. We still have a lot of work to do. So check in on us in about a year and a half, and let us know how we’re doing.
Gail Mitchell previously served two terms as a Recording Academy trustee for the Los Angeles chapter.
