Music

Music has long served as a historically powerful tool for marginalized people to share their lived experiences and inspire change. In partnership with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we will discover the legacy of musician activists, racism in the music industry, cultural appropriation, how music pushes against gender stereotypes, and access to music education.

Topics include:

Music & the Legacy of BIPOC Creators

Too often, the contributions of BIPOC musicians are overlooked. Together, we'll learn about the creators that influenced almost every genre of music popular today and how music is an important part of cultural identity.

Racism in the Music Industry

These resources will examine how racism continues to impact the music industry today. Artists of color continue to face significant barriers in their careers, such as being boxed into specific genres of music, pay disparities, and lack of recognition for their work.

Cultural Appropriation & Reparations

Too often, musicians of color were not given proper recognition or compensation for their work. Today’s resources will examine how the music industry systemically appropriated work from BIPOC artists while marginalizing them, and how financial reparations could be key to achieving justice for these artists.

Gender, Sexuality, & Power in Music

Music has often given performers the opportunity to challenge and play with stereotypical ideas about gender identity and expression. These resources examine what it means to be someone with a marginalized gender identity or sexuality in the music industry and how their work can empower others.

Music Education Access & Curriculum

Music is an amazing learning tool that allows students to develop skills that they can use for the rest of their lives. However, not all students have access to music education and the mental and emotional benefits that it can provide. These resources will cover the importance of ensuring equitable access to music education and why it is critical for students to see diverse voices represented in their music curriculum.