WMG/Blavatnik Fund Names New Grantees
• The Warner Music Group / Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund (WMG/BFF SJF) announced its third set of grantee partners — further advancing its vision of addressing systemic racism and making real change in the lives of historically underserved and marginalized populations. With investments in 15 organizations totaling $9.35 million, this slate of grants focuses on the Fund’s three strategic pillars — criminal justice reform, education, and arts and culture — while also addressing the intersection of race and gender inequity and the rising prominence of youth organizing in racial justice movements across Warner Music Group’s global markets.
“Structural racism constricts the breath, voice and freedom of Black communities, particularly as it intersects with other forms of inequity,” said Lorelei Williams, Executive Director of the WMG/BFF SJF. “With this docket, we were intentional about funding at those crossroads — where racism, poverty, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and xenophobia collide with devastating impact. We also want to create opportunities for youth empowerment, planting seeds for future generations to thrive.”
Given the disparities facing women across a variety of industries, including music, nearly 70% of the selected organizations are women-led and a third of all grants address gender equity issues — from creating opportunities for women into the music industry to dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline for girls of color, and uplifting the voices of gender-expansive adolescents.
Music industry pipeline organizations, such as Diversify the Stage, which provides career opportunities in music and live entertainment to underrepresented communities, and Gender Amplified, founded by Atlantic Records’ producer Ebonie Smith, will be among the first to receive support. “Gender Amplified is honored to partner with the Warner Music Group / Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund,” said Smith. “The Fund’s generous contribution will help us reach our goal of supporting women and non-binary music producers all over the world.”
