The Black Music Collective — the Recording Academy’s hub for genre-spanning power players in Black music — is back with its “Your Future Is Now” program!

For its third year, the BMC and Amazon Music have once again collaborated to provide a thrilling scholarship opportunity for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), who comprise the next generation of movers and shakers in the music industry.

Since its establishment in 2021, the “Your Future Is Now” scholarship has made great strides in mentorship opportunities and donations to HBCU students and music programs.

This year, the BMC has awarded five students from HBCUs $10,000. Additionally, they awarded two HBCUs $10,000 grants each to purchase equipment for their music programs, enhancing the learning experience for current and future students. 

In September 2023, Amazon Music and the Recording Academy's Black Music Collective collaborated on a $10,000 grant to Pensole Lewis College in Detroit, Michigan, delivered in the form of a check presentation event. And two months ago — on April 5 — the two entities presented a $10,000 check to Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Both go directly toward their music programs and the music equipment used therein.

At Pensole Lewis College, Ricky Lyon, the Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Recording Academy, presented the check to the university.

The Recording Academy also worked with the college on a custom shoe design to elevate and promote news of the donation, and highlight Pensole's student design program — at the 2024 RA Honors event, a student design was chosen and showcased.

At Fayetteville State, Ryan Butler, the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Recording Academy, presented the check to the university's Vice Chancellor, Omar Bell. This was in parallel with the Dreamville Music Festival, which was live streamed by Amazon Music.

Congratulations to the recipients of these two generous grants, and keep checking the Recording Academy's website — for more news regarding the BMC and beyond.

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