10 Resources for Black Creatives
From artistic collectives to professional communities, these ten resources may prove invaluable for Black Creatives.
To celebrate British Black History Month, we've compiled a series of useful resources and initiatives for Black creatives.
From industry bodies to social advocacy groups, these are ten leading forces in the UK's Black creative industries that you should know about.
1. Black Lives in Music | Music Industry
Black Lives in Music (BLIM) addresses the inequality of opportunity that faces Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse artists and professionals aspiring to enter the music industry (primarily within the genres of classical music and jazz).
Alongside a breadth of partners, BLIM work towards the goals of dismantling structural racism in the music industry and support individuals with better professional opportunities.
2. Black Music Coalition | Music Industry
The Black Music Coalition (BMC) is a Black-led association, founded in the wake of the #TheShowMustBePaused / #TheShowMustBePausedUK movements.
The BMC is committed to negating racial inequality and fostering "equality and equity for Black executives, artists and their communities within the UK music industry".
The organisation is staffed by an executive committee formed of Black professionals who are active members or affiliates of the UK music industry and a wider panel of Black music industry experts.
3. Black Music Action Coalition | Music Industry
Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) is an advocacy organisation, established in alliance with the #TheShowMustBePaused movement. It represents "Black artists, songwriters, producers, managers, agents, lawyers and other passionate industry professionals" and aims to address racism within the music industry and society on the whole.
BMAC organise and disseminate key information through their network for 200+ members to influence culture on topics such as racial justice, equity through policy, charitable initiatives and voter education.
4. Black Representation in Marketing | Entrepreneurship
Black Representation in Marketing (BRiM) is a multi-industry movement, established to improve the representation of Black people in marketing.
It provides actionable advice to help anyone, at any professional level and aims to create industry-wide and societal change through action and advocacy.
From Brexit to climate change, BRiM provide editorial coverage of all key topics in advertising, as well as actively engaging stakeholder, industry and governmental apparatuses to ensure their voices are heard.
5. POCC | Entrepreneurship
POCC is an "organisation of transformation, championing change through creativity, activism and non-traditional means". It was initially formed as a WhatsApp group to provide a safe-space for creatives of African, Caribbean and Asian descent, and has since grown into an international network of thousands of participants in the fields of advertising, film, TV, media and the arts.
Its creative arms - POCC Studios and POCC Productions - enable the organisation to produce industry-leading creative projects - collaborating with the likes of Disney, Netflix, Meta, the V&A, Apple, Serpentine, Prada, Clear Channel and more. Their non-profit arm - For the Culture and Community -supports community-led initiatives, campaigns, events, bursaries, movie screenings and member-events.
6. PRS Foundation | Power Up | Music Industry
PRS Foundation's Power Up Movement aims to harnesses the experiences of individuals in the music industry to inform powerful, meaningful and wide-reaching action.
The association is in alliance with the Black Music Coalition, and they work together towards a "fairer, more equitable music industry for Black creators and industry professionals".
The organisation empowers underrepresented creatives and aims to compile organisations, companies and individuals to increase the number of Black creators and professionals in their networks to create fruitful, lasting working relationships.
prsfoundation.com/power-up-movement
7. Saffron Music | Advocacy / Empowerment
Saffron Music was founded in Bristol in 2015, a non-profit organisation that "primarily offers training in music production, sound engineering and DJing, as well as running an artist development programme and record label".
Their aim is to develop gender equality in the music-tech industry through the establishment of role models and the creation of safe-spaces for women, non-binary people and other minority genders.
8. The Association of Black Event Professionals
The Association of Black Event Professionals has been founded by a group of Black executives, operating in the UK events industry. Their initial report "Black in the Boardroom", analysed a breadth of trade associations and bodies to assess the representation of Black professionals. Their findings revealed that there are no Black board members across 15 of the UK's leading event trade bodies and associations.
My journey may have been different if I'd had an association behind me. We want to be able to support more black event professionals." - Nadu Placca (founder of The Zoo XYZ).
You can access the Black In The Boardroom report here:
10. Sofuture | Media
The 'Black People Did That' series showcases and celebrates the immeasurable impact that Black artists have held in the formation of modern music.
From hip-hop to techno to voguing, this documentary video series "explore the origins of music genres and the pioneers who birthed them".
Bonus. Independent Society of Musicians' celebration of Black history in music
The ISM has put together a list of resources celebrating the historic legacy of Black performers and composers in the UK, as well as exploring the topics of diversity and inclusion.
Take the first steps in your music career with ICMP
We've been developing and delivering contemporary music education for over 30 years – longer than any other music school in the UK. With a proven track-record, countless music industry connections and unrivalled access to facilities, it's easy to see why hundreds of students choose ICMP each year.
To completely immerse yourself in your music career, chat with our friendly Admissions Team via email enquiries@icmp.ac.uk or give them a call on 020 7328 0222.
Find your course
We've been developing and delivering contemporary music education for over 30 years – longer than any other music school in the UK. With a proven track-record, countless music industry connections and unrivalled access to facilities, it's easy to see why hundreds of students choose ICMP each year.
To completely immerse yourself in your music career, chat with our friendly Admissions Team via email enquiries@icmp.ac.uk or give them a call on 020 7328 0222.