BDRB REPORT ON ANTI-BLACK RACISM IN THE CANADIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY: VOLUME 1

DECLARATION SIGNING EVENT: TUESDAY JUNE 2ND 2021

On Wednesday June 2nd, the 1-year anniversary of Blackout Tuesday, the viral global action to protest anti-Black racism, BDRB (Breaking Down Racial Barriers) with partners CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association) and ADVANCE, Canada's Black Music Business Collective will be hosting a virtual declaration signing event for music industry leaders to make public their commitment to anti-Black racism. The event will include speakers Ian Andre Espinet (Co-founder, BDRB), David "Click" Cox (Co-founder, BDRB), Andrew Cash (President, CIMA), Keziah Myers (Executive Director, ADVANCE), Shauna de Cartier (President, Six Shooter Records), Steve Kane (President, Warner Music), Erin Benjamin (President/CEO, Canadian Live Music Association) and performances by multiple JUNO Award-winning singer, songwriter and international recording artist Jully Black, and rising R&B vocalist and phenomenon Shantel May.

On Wednesday June 2nd, the 1-year anniversary of Blackout Tuesday, the viral global action to protest anti-Black racism, BDRB (Breaking Down Racial Barriers) with partners CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association) and ADVANCE, Canada's Black Music Business Collective will be hosting a virtual declaration signing event for music industry leaders to make public their commitment to anti-Black racism. The event will include speakers Ian Andre Espinet (Co-founder, BDRB), David "Click" Cox (Co-founder, BDRB), Andrew Cash (President, CIMA), Keziah Myers (Executive Director, ADVANCE), Shauna de Cartier (President, Six Shooter Records), Steve Kane (President, Warner Music), Erin Benjamin (President/CEO, Canadian Live Music Association) and performances by multiple JUNO Award-winning singer, songwriter and international recording artist Jully Black, and rising R&B vocalist and phenomenon Shantel May.

READ THE BDRB DECLARATION 7 POINT OVERVIEW BELOW:

dec·la·ra·tion | a formal or explicit statement or announcement.

To build an inclusive Canadian music and entertainment industry, it is critical to address the anti-Black racism that exists in the systems and working environments within which Black music professionals and creatives operate.

The eradication of anti-Black racism requires a commitment to anti-racism - an active, conscious and ongoing effort to work against racism: to acknowledge; to atone; to create mechanisms that dismantle systems which perpetuate racism, and to create actionable solutions with measurable outcomes.

Efforts will look different for solo entrepreneurs, small businesses, organizations, corporations and government institutions. thus, it is important to understand that an inability to execute all commitments listed herein, does not constitute failure. Rather, starting points for signatories will differ, with efforts progressing over time: start where you are, and work towards the goal.

1. THE CREATION OF ANTI-BLACK RACISM POLICIES AND TRAINING

Dismantling anti-Black racism in the Canadian music industry will require the re-envisioning of all foundational policies, procedures and practices through a lens of anti-Black racism.

2. COLLECTION, TRACKING AND PUBLIC REPORTING OF RACE BASED DATA AND KEY METRICS

The lack of race-based data perpetuates systemic racism. To work towards diminishing, and ultimately eliminating systemic and anti-Black racism in the Canadian music industry and reducing racial disparities, we commit to the collection of available data on workplace diversity and key metrics including the racial breakdown of staff and employees at all levels.

3. REPRESENTATION THROUGHOUT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY ECOSYSTEM

For decades, the music industry and its sectors have profited off of the intellectual property of Black creatives and professionals. Increasing representation and diversity throughout the entire industry is key to creating equity in the Canadian music industry.

4. PAY EQUITY, FAIR TREATMENT AND SUPPORT

Despite a lack of empirical data to substantiate the disparity in the wages of Canadian Black music professionals versus their peers (especially Black women), studies have shown that closing pay gaps within industries results in increased productivity and profit.

5. SHARING OF BEST PRACTICES

The BDRB Declaration signifies our collective commitment to the eradication of anti-Black racism in the Canadian music industry. We commit to sharing best practices and initiatives which promote anti-racism & inclusion throughout the industry.

6. PARTNERSHIPS & INVESTMENT

We recognize that eradicating racism will take a collective effort. The creation of partnerships and investments in/with the Black community is a first and critical step in this process.

7. MOVING BEYOND PERFORMANCE

This declaration should not be seen as a box checking exercise. Eradicating anti-Black racism in the Canadian music industry will require more than performative action.

SIGN THE BDRB DECLARATION

VIEW SIGNATORIES LIST