RECORDING ACADEMY NAMES 16 TO TASK FORCE

The Recording Academy has announced the 16 members of its newly formed task force on diversity and inclusion, tapping UMG’s Michele Anthony, Sony Music’s Julie Swidler, Common and Sheryl Crow to examine barriers and biases affecting women and other underrepresented voices in the music industry.

The 16 people on Tina Tchen’s task force are:

• Stephanie Alexa, vice president of finance and licensing administration, ATO Records
• Michele Anthony, executive vice president and executive management board member, Universal Music Group
• Cam, artist
• Common, artist
• Sheryl Crow, artist
• Andra Day, artist
• Giselle Fernandez, television journalist
• Jimmy Jam, artist
• Beth Laird, CEO and co-owner, Creative Nation
• Debra Lee, chairman and CEO, BET Networks
• Rebeca Leon, co-founder and CEO, Lionfish Entertainment
• Elizabeth Matthews, CEO, ASCAP
• Dr. Stacy L. Smith, founder and director, USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative
• Ty Stiklorius, founder and CEO, Friends At Work
• Julie Swidler, executive vice president of business affairs and general counsel, Sony Music
• Dean Wilson, CEO, SEVEN20

The task force will shortly to begin its work with a review of Recording Academy operations and policies across the areas of corporate governance, hiring and promotion, membership, awards, and the Grammy Awards telecast. Tchen will develop an operational roadmap for the task force and update the Recording Academy on the group's progress on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

"This is an important first step made possible by the Recording Academy's leadership, which recognizes the benefit of examining these issues with fresh eyes," said Tchen, the task force chair.

As one of its first orders of business, the task force has established a feedback tool to collect public input and suggestions for the group's review and consideration. Visit here to provide suggestions.

"The Recording Academy prides itself on being a thoughtful organization, and is committed to being responsive to those we represent in the creative community," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. "Today, there's an opportunity for us to effect historic change in attitudes and practices within our industry. We embrace that opportunity in full. With a leader like Tina at the helm and a group of such high caliber, this task force is primed to have a meaningful impact on building a music community that is inclusive, welcoming, and open to all."

John Poppo, Chair of the Recording Academy Board of Trustees, added, "The Board takes seriously any role the Recording Academy can play in serving our music community, and certainly one that could facilitate increased diversity and inclusion. We are inspired by the prospect of what this task force might accomplish, and we're grateful to Tina and the group's esteemed members for graciously agreeing to partner with us in this effort."