December 2nd 2023.
The Recording Academy has achieved a remarkable milestone this year. According to a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE, the organization has welcomed a new member class composed of more than 2,400 people of color, an all-time record for the group. It's a huge jump from the 24% figure in the previous years.
50% of the new members are people of color, 46% are below the age of 40, and 37% are women. These figures come after the Academy's declaration of new DEI measures to ensure a more diverse membership. This is made possible through the organization's peer review model adopted in 2019, which has resulted in a significant rise in representation.
As a result of this accomplishment, the Academy is on track to meet its goal of adding at least 2,500 women Voting Members by 2025, and is even ahead of schedule. Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, expressed his excitement about the news.
“I’m proud that our organization is evolving and building a membership body that reflects the diverse talents and backgrounds that make up our music community,” he said. “Our commitment to diversity and inclusivity, however, is an ongoing effort. While we celebrate our progress, we also acknowledge that there’s still more work that must be done. Our members play a crucial role in everything we do, so representation is integral to our mission of supporting and uplifting music makers. I’m thrilled to welcome this year’s new class and look forward to watching them engage with our Academy for years to come.”
The Recording Academy has three membership options — a voting membership for those in the recording industry, a professional membership for music businesspeople, and a GRAMMY U membership for emerging musicians. The 66th Annual Grammy Awards are fast approaching and members are reaching the final stage of voting. Voting begins Dec. 14, 2023 and ends Jan. 4, 2024. To learn more about the Recording Academy’s membership requirements, visit here.
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