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Report From The Black American Music Summit (BAMS) at Folk Alliance Conference 2023

6 March 2023 by Local 1000

By Deidre McCalla 

Given that Local 1000 wanted a presence at BAMS to help them (us) improve DEI, I  feel it important to say that from the very start I realized this Summit wasn’t about  you. By you I mean predominantly white institutions/organizations. I was reminded of the early days of feminist empowerment when men assumed we spent most of  our time talking about them. We didn’t. We focused on connecting with each other.  Such was the case with BAMS. 

Wednesday. Day 1: Meet & Greet  

Though there were panelists, the point of this session was for those who choose to  to introduce themselves. I think there were about 25 people in attendance. Most  noted how remarkable it was to look around the room and see each other as many  of us in the Folk world felt like were navigated as islands. I did introduce myself and  identify as the eyes and ears of Local 1000. I told them I would be taking notes as  the Local is constantly evolving its DEI and if anyone had any questions about the  Union to please chat with me at anytime during the Conference. No one did.  

Thursday. Day 2. No Person Is An Island  

There were maybe 30 or so people this day. Most of this session directly related to  the experience of being an artist. Along that track I noted tenets such as: 

I’m here (the artist) to have my ache make you make sense of yours.  

If you’re not connecting with the audience either you haven’t said it right or  you haven’t found your audience yet. 

There’s a difference between a reviewer and a journalist. In order to get a  feature you have to define and project your own narrative.  

It is also our right to transcend our sorrow. We don’t have to be performative  to salve other people’s guilt. 

There is no American Music without a Black story. Our stories are relevant to  the nation not only Black folk. 

The panel also emphasized how most successful artists build a team to work with  them. A team is some combination of management, agent, and label. 

There was discussion of getting airplay and that involves there not only having more  Black voices behind the mic but also more Black administrators in decision making  positions at stations.

Friday & Saturday. Day 3 & 5. Show Me The Money/Visibility  

I am combining these two days because by the time I arrived for the last 40 minutes  of the Saturday session (I had the Wisdom of the Elders Panel) they seemed to be  continuing much of the same ground covered on Friday.  

Some of the panelist spoke on music initiatives they were promoting in their cities.  In general the thrust was as artists we need to claim all the spaces where we  belong. Apply for any and all grants we deserve and to learn the processes of how  to do that successfully. Don’t be shy about asking for help navigating it. It is our  responsibility to step up and speak up as no one will do it for us.  

Lilli Lewis remarked that as progressive and inclusive as FAI strives to be she  pointed out to them that the Official Showcases were often booked from the Black  Diaspora from everywhere but the U.S. 

Concluding:  

I hope Local 1000 finds this informative. Other than having more Black folk  integrated in decision making positions, which I do think the Local strives to do, I’m  not sure how it directly impacts our DEI. It is always helpful, though, to hear what  others are thinking and coming from.  

On a personal level the BAMS workshop days and especially our showcases were  very powerful for me. I heard the varied voices of Black folk in folk. I am not as  alone or as much of an anomaly as I sometimes feel.

Category: Union News

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The Local 1000 of the American Federation of Musicians union.

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