Recording Academy Names Diversity/Inclusion Officer
• The Recording Academy® announced the appointment of Valeisha Butterfield Jonesas its first-ever Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, effective May 11. In her new role, Ms. Butterfield Jones will be responsible for advancing the Recording Academy’s mission and ensuring that diversity and inclusion are core to business values and standards, and demonstrated throughout the organization.
She will report directly to Academy Chair & Interim President/CEO Harvey Mason Jr., who commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Valeisha Butterfield Jones into the Recording Academy family. Valeisha has been a force in driving systemic change and enhancing equal opportunities for underrepresented groups across entertainment, technology and politics. I’m excited to work with her to continue evolving the Recording Academy as an organization that represents our music community and a place where all voices are welcomed, supported and nurtured. We are so fortunate to have Valeisha’s leadership in this crucial area.”
Ms. Butterfield Jones was most recently Global Head of Inclusion for Google, Inc. Before that she served as the Nat’l Youth Vote Director for the Obama for America campaign and the Deputy Director of Public Affairs for International Trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce during the Obama Administration, Earlier executive roles include Executive Director at Rush Communications and Nat’l Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Alzheimer’s Association. Her two decades-long career began at HBO Sports.
Butterfield Jones’ appointment follows recommendations set forth by the Recording Academy Diversity & Inclusion Task Force in December 2019 with a request for the Academy to hire a Diversity & Inclusion Officer at the executive level responsible for enterprise-wide diversity and inclusion efforts by May 1, 2020. As set forth in the recommendation, Butterfield Jones will bring business acumen and strategic rigor to inclusion practices across all areas of the Recording Academy, including internal and external programs, organizational and staff culture, membership, awards and related initiatives. As Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Butterfield Jones will design, build and implement world-class programs and industry standards focused on inclusion, belonging and representation for underrepresented communities and creators.
“It’s imperative that the music industry continue to make strides toward a more equitable and inclusive industry, and I am pleased to see the Recording Academy take this important step toward change within its own walls today by appointing Valeisha Butterfield Jones as its first-ever Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer,” said Tina Tchen, Chair of the Recording Academy Diversity & Inclusion Task Force and President & CEO of TIME’S UP. “Creating this executive-level position was a principal recommendation of our Task Force because it is one significant way the Academy can demonstrate that issues of diversity are mission-critical and will be prioritized in the future.”
Butterfield Jones said, “The Recording Academy has an opportunity and responsibility to ensure that diversity and inclusion is embedded in its core values. I’m deeply honored to join the Academy as we enter a new chapter of transformational growth, leadership and change. During this unprecedented time in world history, together we will double-down on our focus to drive systemic change and equitable outcomes for underrepresented communities and creators.” [Photo credit: Erik Umphery]
