These leading music organizations are spearheading social justice and creating positive change. Learn how they use music to promote diversity and support marginalized communities.
by Randi Zimmerman of Symphonic Blog
Music has a way of bringing communities and cultures together in an undeniable way. The power of community stretches beyond skin color, gender expression, and socioeconomic standing, serving as a pillar of hope for those in need and connecting us as a united front for change. Through combining music and community, organizations like these are putting in work to create a better future for all. If you’re looking to do your part to assist in a better tomorrow for those in need, here are 10 organizations you can support, get involved with, and share with your community right now…
10 Music Organizations That Support Social Justice
Harmony Project
Started in 2009, Harmony Project has a mission of building a stronger and more inclusive community through the arts and volunteer services. What started with a chorus of 100 people who agreed to sing and serve in their community has grown into over 1,000 people singing weekly, tens of thousands of people attending concerts and performances, and a wide range of programs serving people of all walks of life, some of which including men and women who have experienced homelessness, students from across the economic spectrum, women and men serving time, veterans, and many more in need.
“Harmony Project is art. Art is the catalyst for change — combating disinformation, shattering stereotypes, expanding cultural knowledge, and creating empathy for one another. Creativity fosters a shared space where people can embrace their differences and build social harmony.”
Musicians At Play Foundation
Musicians at Play (MAP) is a vibrant community of music professionals who partner with Los Angeles-area schools to deliver instrumental and vocal training, coaching, and mentoring to fundamentally change the way young people think about music, their ability, and their future careers in music and music related fields. Committed to teaching music in a diverse society to students regardless of individual difference or ability, MAP mentors believe that all children deserve to have rich and diverse musical experience.
Love Music Hate Racism
Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) uses the energy and vibrancy of the music scene to promote unity and celebrate diversity through education and events. Their message is simple, there is more that unites us than divides us; and nothing demonstrates this more than music. Music has the power to unite, to give strength and to effect positive social change. Racism, on the other hand, weakens us; it creates barriers and turns friends and neighbors against one another.
By working together, we can harness the power of music to stop this destructive force in its tracks and use it to bring together individuals and communities in a beautiful resistance against bigotry and hatred. Love Music Hate Racism is a grassroots campaign, which means they rely on and support individuals and groups raising awareness and spreading positive messages in their local communities. Up and down the country, likeminded people are coming together to organize local marches, gigs and educational programs which celebrate diversity and inclusion.
Music To Life
Music to Life connects socially conscious musicians with the mentors, resources and training needed to realize their bold visions for community change. While the challenges of our communities are daunting, Music to Life knows how to find and support these musical visionaries: artists who are dedicated to helping people and the planet through their work on civil and human rights, climate change, poverty and health. They help them enhance their outreach, deepen their community organizing skills, and build effective music-driven programming.
If you’re an established or emerging artist with a passion for an issue or interest in networking with like-minded peers and advancing positive change in your community, consider applying to join their juried artist list where you’ll be connected with performance, program, mentorship and other opportunities to amplify your efforts for global change.
Black Trans Femmes in the Arts
Black Trans Femmes in the Arts is a community-focused non-profit that builds community and mobilizes resources to support Black trans femme artists (artists who were assigned male-at-birth and now identify somewhere underneath the femme umbrella). Their mission is to create spaces for the production and preservation of Black trans art and culture by building community with Black trans femme artists and providing them with the resources and support necessary to thrive.
BTFA’s Artist/Resource Directory is a living document that allows BTFA to support Black trans femme artists more effectively by connecting them with folks who are looking to support their work. If you’re either a Black trans femme artist or someone looking to offer services or resources in support of Black trans femme artists, submit your info for consideration here.
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JusticeAid
Made up of lawyers, artists, educators, and business leaders with passion for both civil rights and the arts, JusticeAid combines the community-building power of art and music to transform awareness into action in the fight against injustice. Their concerts and free public forums raise awareness about civil rights challenges and inspire donations to support social justice organizations addressing these issues. They also produce live and streaming discussion panels, social media campaigns, house parties, and other outreach to educate thousands more Americans on justice issues that affect us all.
RAMPD
Founded in 2021 by award-winning recording artist and cultural activist Lachi, RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities) came about after a public talk between the Recording Academy and several disabled artists revealed the serious lack of visibility, access, and representation for music professionals with disabilities. Now, RAMPD serves as a professional platform that equips the music and live entertainment industry with disability inclusive tools, programming and strategies to connect and bring competitive opportunities and visibility to a vast community of peer-vetted music/sound creators and industry professionals with disabilities, neurodivergence and other chronic or mental health conditions.
RAMPD’s Mission is to amplify Disability Culture, promote equitable inclusion, and advocate for inclusive and accessible spaces in the music and live entertainment industries. What is Disability Culture, exactly? RAMPD defines it as the art, music, words, and creative contributions of people who identify as disabled. It is rooted in creativity, determination and problem solving and is a vibrant counter-response to society’s marginalization and oppression, and deserves to be celebrated.
Music On The Inside
One of the most pressing civil rights issues of our time is the disproportionate incarceration of people of color in the United States, particularly black men. Music on the Inside (MOTI) is an organization that works with professional musicians to bring the transformative power of music education, mentorship and hope to those incarcerated or facing the challenges of reentry. Music on the Inside connects youth and adults impacted by incarceration with professional musicians as teachers and mentors to bring hope and healing through the transformative power of music.
shesaid.so
Shesaid.so is a global independent community of women and gender nonconforming people in the music industry. From record labels, artist management companies and booking agencies, to technology platforms, creative agencies, composers, artists and more, she said.so connects and empowers underrepresented communities towards a more equitable music industry for all, one woman or gender nonconforming person at a time.
“Intersectionality is paramount to us – we acknowledge that, in the past, feminist movements advocated for the rights of the privileged few [white affluent women] and we are committed to building a future that does not carry with it mistakes from the past. We recognize the compounded challenges that further marginalized groups of women face, in addition to their gender, due to race, sexuality and/or sexual identity, cultural nuances, faith, ability etc. We are unwavering in our intersectional approach to women’s rights and we urge the entire music community to adopt a similar outlook…”
Musicians Without Borders
Music empowers, creates connection, and strengthens empathy. Musicians Without Borders has been working to inspire and support musicians everywhere to use the power of music to create positive change in their communities for the past 20 years. In collaboration with local musicians and organizations, they bring music to people and places affected by war, armed conflict, and displacement. What started as a group of socially engaged musicians in the Netherlands, bringing music performances, workshops, and instruments to refugee camps, is now active in Central America, East Africa, Europe and the Middle East.