June 27, 2015 - July 3, 2015, The Afro-American
Local Grammy Chapter Talks the Business of Music By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO Like a bitter refrain that reoccurs too often, fame among African-American music artists has often been saddled with financial woes linked to poor business practices. Whether it is the artist unaware of the contract demands or limitations, or issues with copyright and engineering masters, Black Music Month has become a time to study the music business to avoid the financial pitfalls of fame. This June, the D.C. chapter of The Recording Academy, also known as the Grammys, held a day-long seminar for its members to offer insight into the latest industry innovations and changing platforms. On hand for the event was Grammy-award winning artist Estelle, whose panel discussion with Bryan Calhoun, co-founder of Freeform Development, a music technology company, highlighted how new technologies, including social media influence the music world. “We want to bring the benefit of information to our members, which include the best practices and tools in
business. We know that we’re not Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville, but we want to ensure that the members in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia have the same accolades and access they deserve,” Wendi Cherry, D.C. Recording Academy executive director
core issues local Grammy members navigate. Social media is at the heart of a shifting music business that wants access quick, precise, and constantly. But how does that translate into business? “I’ve been around for years, then I did a guest
Photo by Shantella Sherman
Calhoun interviews Grammy-winning recording artist Estelle during The Recording Academy D.C. Chapter’s day-long seminar on the music industry’s latest innovations and changing platforms. told the AFRO. And while artists like Estelle move fluidly across genres and geographic spaces to gain major music success, the business of international copyright, downloads, and royalties remain among the
appearance on the American television show ‘Empire’ and all of sudden, I’m an overnight success,” Estelle said laughing. “The song I sang was from years ago, but suddenly an entire group of people who did not know my music, have it to
economically and that is good but she is concerned that the mayor is too focused on certain projects like the soccer stadium. “Many people don’t care about that soccer stadium,” she said. “They want a better quality of life.” Joshua Lopez, a friend of Bowser, said that it is impossible to meet everyone’s expectations. “Mayor Bowser has done some great things in the short time she has been in office,” Lopez said. “She had a budget
that addressed affordable housing, a serious problem in this city and she is making progress with improving education in the middle schools.” Lopez said that City Administrator Rashad Young, Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development Brian Kenner and Snowden are great talents. He reminds the mayor’s critics that change will not come overnight. “Mayor Bowser is still working under the previous
enjoy. The difference is now I have to have a social media presence and people want to know what I am eating and wearing, what my every move is, and sometimes you just don’t think as an artist that that is part of the business. It is.” For others, like Nathan Wingo, whose family managed a music hall in Omaha that Black performers used for live recordings, understanding the business means the difference between shuttering the doors. “There are so many aspects of performing, recording, and copyrighting in this business that used to be done with only handshake deals. I can’t do things like my dad and granddad did them, so these types of seminars become my college,” Wingo said. Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers, and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education, and human services programs.
Mayor Bowser Continued from B1
what is important.” Dr. E. Faye Williams, the chair of the National Congress of Black Women, said that she supports Bowser but the mayor needs to improve. “My biggest disappointment is that the city is not a comfortable place to be,” Williams said. “The repair of our streets is horrible and that is everywhere in the city, not just in certain neighborhoods.” Williams said that the city is continuing to develop
mayor’s budget but when her budget kicks in this fall, people will see positive change,” he said. The AFRO contacted Bowser’s communications office for comments regarding the criticism of residents for this article but didn’t receive a response by press time.
Black Business Continued from B1
teaches participants the importance of leadership and FLYE Entrepreneurship teaches core business skills culminating in a pitch competition. Participants also gain access to significant perks. In April 2015, they were invited to attend a White House roundtable discussion with representatives from A&E Television, the Washington Wizards, and the Washington Nationals where adult mentors discussed leadership, decision-making, the importance of school and goal-setting, among other topics. In May 2015, Washington Wizards All-Star Guard John Wall and designer clothing company Sean John outfitted four of FLYE seniors with tuxedos for prom. In the wake an outcry in the Black community for respect of Black bodies, many young Black males are left in the dark for guidance on how to conduct and value themselves. “There needs to be positive reinforcement shown to them that you can make it despite all the bad things that are happening,” says Sesay. “There are successful black men who are doing great things in this world and [youth] can pattern themselves after these guys and not really have to pay attention to what the news is showing.” Moving forward, Sesay hopes the organization can provide a light for more young men throughout the D.C. metro region. “There are just so many more kids who can experience the different things that the guys at Eleanor Roosevelt are experiencing,” he says. For more information on FLYE visit www.flye.org.
Summer Nutrition Program Continued from B1
Outpatient Pediatric Dietician Angela Boad of Children’s National Medical Center said that the biggest risk of poor nutrition during the summer months is weight gain. “Big contributors are an increased intake of calorie dense, nutrient deficient foods, convenience items and more processed foods,” said Boad. “Additionally, kids have more irregular meal patterns – no longer waking up early for school, no structured time for their meals.” The program runs June through August with most sites opening June 22 and closing August 22. Meal times and dates vary by location. During the school year, more than 21 million children rely on free and reduced priced meals provided by the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, but only 3.8 million participate in USDA’s summer meal programs: the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the National School Lunch Program’s Seamless Summer Option.
Retiring DCPS Teachers Continued from B1
kindergarten teacher at Miner Elementary the call to be a much-needed role model. “A School told the AFRO. lot of [these children] do not have a male “A lot of [young teachers] leave before five presence at home and they need somebody years because they’ve got a false perception as a father figure,” says Ingram, who began of what this is about,” says Etheridge who is his career wearing a suit and tie everyday retiring after 47 years of service, 23 of which to exemplify the importance of professional were at Miner in Northeast D.C. appearance as a Black man. Oftentimes, the greatest resource for young As the three educators reflect, there’s much teachers to navigate the education system is they will miss. “The children and sharing not their recent college education, but heeding ideas with colleagues,” says Etheridge. the guidance of seasoned professionals. “At “Comraderie,” says Montez. “The songs,” and one time it was planted in their minds that we teaching students through music, says Ingram. were the ones who were failing the system Entrusting their work in the hands of and they were coming to save it, but once they incoming teachers, there’s also much to look got into the system they realized that it wasn’t forward to: second honeymoons, international what they thought it was,” says Etheridge. and exotic vacations, and a trip to LIVE! Basic skills such as classroom management Casino — all following a celebration dinner at and lesson preparation are vital, says Frances American Great Steak Buffet for Francis and Montez, who is retiring as assistant principal Etheridge. after years eight years at Miner and 50 years in education. Further, teachers should always be flexible, not just in the classroom. “Many young [teachers] don’t understand Presented by: the lives of children and what The National Business League of Greater Washington happens during the night or the ARE YOU GETTING YOUR FAIR SHARE? weekends,” says Montez, “You really have to know about This is Your Opportunity To Get Face To Face With 50 people, you to be a people of The Area’s Top Procurement Agencies person, and be ready to assist Including: any way you can all the time.” DC Office of Contracting and Procurement • Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission • Social Security Administration Atlas Ingram, a • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority • Montgomery County kindergarten teacher at Miner • Industrial Bank • DC MDBA Center • AfricaBiz and more! is no stranger to house visits. Plus: “I was speaking to a kid earlier 15 Seminars By Industry Professionals on topics including Finance, Teaming, Marketing Intelligence & AfricaBiz Special Trade Fair for Exporters today and he says ‘Ingram [I remember] that time you came THURSDAY, JULY 16TH • 8AM – 5PM over my house when I was FHI 360 CONFERENCE CENTER sick and you brought me that 1825 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, NW •WASHINGTON, DC 20009 fruit basket, you gave me a Register Early and Sign Up for Your Opportunity To Be Selected for One On One tie and you had a bag of toys Match Making Session With The Leading Agencies in Healthcare Services, IT and Construction for me’,” says Ingram, who REGISTER TODAY AT: is retiring after 11 years at www.ProBiz2015.Eventbrite.com Miner. “I almost forgot about Call 202.730.5765 for more info Or email: beecheagle@gmail.com it because it was earlier in the school year, but that made his day.” As an African American male, he has boldly answered
B3
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