Research and Development | Programme Design, Delivery and Delivery Management | Chair of Executive Steering Commitment
Power Up is an ambitious, long-term initiative launched in 2021 which supports Black music creators and industry professionals and executives, as well as addressing anti-Black racism and racial disparities in the music sector. Set up and managed by PRS Foundation in partnership with YouTube Music, Beggars Group and the Black Music Coalition, the initiative brings together several music industry partners across all sectors to accelerate change. Supporters include AIM, the BPI, the FAC, The Ivors Academy, the MMF, the MPA, MPG, The Musicians’ Union, PPL, PRS for Music and the PRS Members’ Fund who bring added-value support to power up participants. Power Up Ambassadors include MC and actor Kano; award-winning BBC Presenter and Music Entrepreneur DJ Target; Disturbing London Founder Dumi Oburota; artist Ray Blk; GRM Founder Post.
Through a holistic Power Up Participant Programme and the Power Up Movement it breaks down barriers to create:
- A fairer, more equitable music industry for Black creators and industry professionals
- Better representation in all sectors of the UK music industry
- To support innovative and exciting Black talent to create exceptional new music in all genres and at all career levels
- To amplify the work of Black creators and industry professionals to accelerate change
Yaw was brought on 6 months ahead of the launch to undertake substantial research and development which included the setting up of the Power Up Executive Steering Committee in late 2020 to strategically steer the initiative and engaging with more than 80 Black music executives and creators to contribute and steer Power Up through a series of Focus Groups covering Recording and Publishing, Live, Platforms, Gender, Sexuality, Enterprise and Regionality. After the R&D process, Yaw took on the role of Senior Manager, where his responsibilities including designing and managing the delivery of the programme to ensure it responds to the barriers facing Black music creators and Black industry professionals in the UK music industry, as well as chairing the POWER UP Executive Steering Committee.
