Toronto has announced a new $2 million partnership to support the entry, retention and advancement of Black professionals in the city's music industry.
Announced today by Mayor John Tory, the partnership between the City of Toronto, the Slaight Family Foundation and Canada's Black music business collective ADVANCE will work to support Black talent development in the music industry with a total commitment of $2 million over four years.
Through the Toronto Music Advisory Committee (TMAC), an advisory group will develop initiatives, including a mentorship and internship program to begin in 2021, master classes on industry career development, research to analyze and assess racial discrepancies in the business sector of the Canadian music industry and more.
Further initiatives will align with ADVANCE's four pillars of action: research, advocacy and government partnerships; mentorship and education; community outreach; and business development and entrepreneurship.
"This partnership supports the Toronto Music Strategy and it is another step towards correcting the music industry's historic under-investment in the development of Black talent, especially in senior leadership roles," councillor and TMAC chair Joe Cressy said in a statement. "I and the members of TMAC look forward to working with Advance to make these critical changes."
"ADVANCE is committed to leading the change for real, tangible reform in the music business landscape and infrastructure in corporate, private and government sectors," board member and music publishing executive Vivian Barclay added. "We look forward to partnering with Slaight Music and the City of Toronto to create pathways for learning, and opportunities for change and development for current and future Black talent and professionals in Canada."
Announced today by Mayor John Tory, the partnership between the City of Toronto, the Slaight Family Foundation and Canada's Black music business collective ADVANCE will work to support Black talent development in the music industry with a total commitment of $2 million over four years.
Through the Toronto Music Advisory Committee (TMAC), an advisory group will develop initiatives, including a mentorship and internship program to begin in 2021, master classes on industry career development, research to analyze and assess racial discrepancies in the business sector of the Canadian music industry and more.
Further initiatives will align with ADVANCE's four pillars of action: research, advocacy and government partnerships; mentorship and education; community outreach; and business development and entrepreneurship.
"This partnership supports the Toronto Music Strategy and it is another step towards correcting the music industry's historic under-investment in the development of Black talent, especially in senior leadership roles," councillor and TMAC chair Joe Cressy said in a statement. "I and the members of TMAC look forward to working with Advance to make these critical changes."
"ADVANCE is committed to leading the change for real, tangible reform in the music business landscape and infrastructure in corporate, private and government sectors," board member and music publishing executive Vivian Barclay added. "We look forward to partnering with Slaight Music and the City of Toronto to create pathways for learning, and opportunities for change and development for current and future Black talent and professionals in Canada."
