The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), in partnership with Live Nation, has officially launched the BMAC LIVE Accelerator Program. This initiative offers an all-expenses paid music business intensive course and paid internship program with a focus on career pathways in the live music industry. For 20 alternative pathway, non-college bound aspiring music business professionals, BMAC LIVE provided a week of invaluable access to leadership, mentorship, technical skills, and career resources. By partnering with Live Nation’s School of Live in Los Angeles, BMAC is helping these individuals succeed as they pursue careers in the music industry.
“It has been inspiring to see the participants fully immerse themselves into the program. I’m excited to see where the group goes next as they become our future leaders. BMAC’s core mission is to provide equal opportunity across the entertainment industry, and it starts with the next generation,” said Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, BMAC Co-founder, President & CEO. We are proud to have partnered with Live Nation to create an exclusive and enriching program for non-college bound, aspiring professionals that will go beyond just a ‘program’ but a true pathway to a career in live entertainment. The four-month paid internship in each participant’s city is a real game changer.”
BMAC LIVE’s music business intensive covers different aspects of creating and managing live entertainment including show production, budgeting, artist relations, talent booking, marketing, and ticketing. During the week-long course, participants heard from key music industry power players and changemakers, including: Shawn Holiday (BMAC Co-Founder/Full Stop Management & GIANT Music), Omar Al-joulani (Co-President, Live Nation Concerts), Mark Campana (President, School of Live), Tariq Cherif (Co-Founder/Co-CEO, Rolling Loud), Jamil Davis (Co-CEO & Co-Founder, The Revels Group), Tina Farris (TFT Tours), Phylicia Fant (Head of Music Industry and Culture Collaborations, Amazon Music), Sierra Lever (Head of Rotation, Amazon Music), Chris Jordan (Talent/Music Agent, UTA) and many more.
Other program highlights include:
- Cohort members gained hands-on experience working alongside the Belasco production team, learning technical skills needed to stage a show.
- An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the production for a high-profile artist’s tour stop at the Kia Forum during sound check.
- Participants attended rapper Ski Mask the Slump God’s concert at the Palladium.
- The course concluded with group presentations on producing a music festival, awarding certificates of completion and an all-expenses-paid trip to Rolling Loud Miami for the winning group.
- The program extends their experience with a 4-month paid internship to apply the skills learned.
“We were honored to host the inaugural BMAC LIVE cohort at our School of Live learning center. Their passion and enthusiasm was palpable throughout the music business course and we’re proud to partner with BMAC to support their pathways into the industry,” said Omar Al-joulani, Co-President, Live Nation Concerts.
The inaugural BMAC LIVE Accelerator Program doubles down on BMAC’s commitment to investing in the next generation of Black leaders and creating equal opportunity within the music industry. Other recent mentor and internship programs include the Music Business Accelerator Program at HBCU Tennessee State University, BMAC Music Maker Guaranteed Income and Mentorship Program in partnership with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, BMAC x Academy of Country Music (ACM) “OnRamp,” and more.
For more information on the BMAC Live Accelerator Program, please visit https://www.bmacoalition.org/bmaclivenation.
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