In light of the global events that unfolded in June 2020, the music industry has come together to reflect on and address how it can best serve every member of its community, in particular those from a black and ethnic minority background. At the BPI we are committed to promoting equality of opportunity and to supporting our members in the best way possible, and are putting on a series of training workshops aimed at helping our companies recruit, maintain and empower a diverse workforce.
Below is a list of the sessions that we have hosted and are planning to host – including summaries of the discussions, where available. This page will be updated regularly as more workshops are lined up.
1) Diversity in the Ranks – hosted by Paulette Long OBE and Kate Reilly, Director of Director of People and Organisational Development at PPL (Jul 28th, 2020)
Session description:
Statistics show that only 3.3% of FTSE companies currently have senior BAME executives and it is estimated that this lack of diversity is costing the UK economy £3.4bn each year. Diversity is good for business! However, the number of senior level managers working within the music industry from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background is well below the figures the sector wants to achieve and is far from representative of the industry itself. The main reasons given by recruitment companies, HR departments and CEOs for this low recruitment level is that that there are no suitable candidates available to work at senior management level or that they simply don't know where to find them.
At the tail end of 2019, 35-year music industry veteran Paulette Long OBE began a new initiative called Zero81 to help address this issue. The first pilot was run in association with PPL and demonstrated a much needed fresh approach to candidate resourcing / head hunting and recruitment of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic senior managers. Working with a system of facilitated skills transfer for candidates currently working in other sectors, alongside experienced candidates from within the music industry, the results achieved were both exciting and encouraging.
Summary/ Key Findings: n/a. Please contact Paulette Long for more information.
2) Let’s Talk About Race – hosted by by Dr Joanna Abeyie MBE, Founder and CEO of Blue Moon (Sep 17th, 2020)
Session description:
This workshop aims to educate and empower individuals on how to discuss race and ethnicity with colleagues and stakeholders within their respective businesses. This session is in response to the increased profile of the Black Lives Matter Movement and the growing need to provide equity to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic employees. Blue Moon will facilitate an open discussion on the following topics in an attempt to educate stakeholders on how to challenge and understand the barriers and experiences of ethnic minority staff and in particular black and brown staff within their organisation.
The session will cover, but will not be limited to, the following areas of discussion:
Understanding ‘White privilege.’
What is white fragility? How do you recognise this and how to ensure this doesn’t influence the way you source, select and hire talent and support staff?
How can you be ‘anti-racist’?
Micro-aggressions, what are they and how do you stop reinforcing them?
‘All Lives Matter’ and resistance to the Black Lives Matter Movement.
Challenging your own bias
How do we sanction discriminatory behaviours?
Intersectionality: is there one ‘black experience’?
The following resources will be referenced throughout the conversation and will be used to encourage debate.
Why I Am No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F Saad
White Fragility Why It’s So Hard for White People To Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions and voice opinions anonymously, in a safe and non-judgemental environment.
Summary/ Key Findings: view here.
October 22:
Unconscious Bias at Work – hosted by Arit Eminue, Founder & Director, DiVA Apprenticeships
This webinar introduces attendees to the concept of unconscious bias. The aim is to raise awareness of how unconscious biases work and how they can negatively influence workplace interactions. Attendees will be introduced to tools to help challenge their biases to help foster a more inclusive workplace.
Summary/ Key Findings: view here.
November 3:
Diversifying Recruitment Practices – hosted by Arit Eminue, Founder & Director, DiVA Apprenticeships
There is enough data out there highlighting the commercial and social benefits of hiring talent from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. However, with all the will in the world, if you’re running a small business and are time poor, where do you get started, especially when your recruitment networks are primarily word of mouth? In this dynamic and motivating session, you’ll learn the importance of developing a strong employer brand, what not to put in a job description, employee benefits that don’t break the bank and support diversity, how to engage with community based organisations – along with names of those you can reach out too. You’ll also receive practical interview techniques and questions that go beyond those you found on google.
Summary/ Key Findings: view here.
November 17:
Understanding Antisemitism - hosted by Danny Stone MBE, Chief Executive, Antisemitism Policy Trust
This workshop is designed to address another facet of racism and will be delivered by Danny Stone MBE, who has led the professional team at the Antisemitism Policy Trust for a decade. The aims of the seminar include: an increased understanding of who Jewish people are and the community in the United Kingdom; an increased understanding of what antisemitism is, its scale and reach, how it manifests online, its impact and pervasiveness - as well knowledge about the different manifestations of antisemitism including but not limited to; conspiratorial, Holocaust denial, Israel and Zionism-linked.
Summary/ Key Findings: view here
November 26
Career Progression for Diverse Talent - hosted by Arit Eminue, Founder & Director, DiVA Apprenticeships
The music industry is making progress on increasing the number of individuals from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, in entry-level positions. How do we make sure these people progress through the ranks, are selected for promotions and are empowered to succeed? In this session, you’ll explore simple yet effective tools to create a career progression framework suitable for your business, that supports diversity and inclusion. One that defines possible progression routes in the company, professional development support, and explains what someone has to do to progress to each role; offering your managers and their teams clarity, a sense of meaningful progression and a desire to remain with the organisation.
Summary/ Key Findings: view here
