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About us

Talent is distributed evenly, opportunities are not! Black Lives in Music addresses the current inequality of opportunity for Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse people aspiring to be artists or professionals in the Jazz and Classical music industry. Black Lives in Music believes in real equality for Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse people to learn musical instruments at grassroots level and to allow them to pursue and realise their musical ambitions.

Black Lives in Music is made up of a number of partners who are all working towards the same goal: to dismantle structural racism in our industry. We aim to support the industry in providing better professional opportunities. We also want to achieve equality for Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse professionals at all levels and in all areas of the UK Jazz and Classical industry. Representation matters, we need to take action together and create a level playing field for everyone to have an equal chance to succeed.

Black Lives in Music stands for equal opportunities – for Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse people to be able to work successfully in the UK music industry without being the subject of discrimination.

There's work to do!
Charisse Beaumont

Charisse Beaumont

Chief Executive, Co-Founder

As Chief Executive of Black Lives in Music, Charisse Beaumont is at the forefront of championing equality for Black musicians and professionals in the music industry. The organisation, boasting 90+ UK music industry partners, recently conducted a pivotal survey resulting in the widely-downloaded report 'Being Black in the UK Music Industry.' With 18+ years of expertise, Charisse played a key role in presenting evidence at the UK Government Women and Equalities Select Committee. Black Lives in Music's impactful initiatives earned them recognition from 'Fast Company' as a Top 10 Most Innovative Company in Music. Charisse is a formidable and vital force on the UK Music scene. This is reflected in her being inducted into the Music Week Women in Music roll of honour in 2022 and she also holds the esteemed title of AIM Independent Music Awards Diversity Champion. In addition to her work with Black Lives in Music, Charisse serves on the board of Help Musicians and the LIVE Group. She also chairs the LIVE Group EDI workforce committee and sits on the advisory committee at War Child UK.

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Roger Wilson

Director of Operations, Co-Founder

Roger Wilson has many years of experience on both sides of the stage as musician, educator, tour manager and administrator. Conservatoire trained, he has worked extensively in the commercial, jazz and classical sector with a wide range of artists from Lesley Garett and Bryn Terfel to James Brown and Quincey Jones. He has also played in some of London’s most successful music theatre productions.  As an instrumental teacher and lecturer, Roger has worked throughout the UK music education sector at all levels. In recent years, he has been dedicated in his support for the professional development of aspiring young jazz musicians.

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Banita Wheatley-Holmes

Banita Wheatley-Holmes

Assistant to the Director of Operations

Banita Wheatley-Holmes is an oboist and composer who recently graduated with a Master's degree (Mmus) in Classical Music Performance. Since graduating, her compositions have been showcased at venues such as the Wigmore Hall. She is also a member of the Chineke! Orchestra, a leading orchestra advocating diversity in classical music. Banita's enthusiasm for celebrating and improving inclusivity and representation extends to her role in Black Lives in Music, where she assists the Director of Operations and manages projects that provide equal opportunities for musicians from diverse backgrounds. Her efforts contribute to the ongoing transformation of the classical music world.

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Sonia Watson-Fowler

Sonia Watson-Fowler

Relationship Manager

Sonia Watson-Fowler (she/her) is a consultant, writer, and performer. Founder of Inclusive Communication Consultancy (ICC), she provides executive and education Equitable Practice and Effective Communication consultancy, workshops, mentoring, conflict mediation services and coaching, as well as creative writing sessions to UK and international clients. Sonia is also a Trustee of Bird College Conservatoire for Dance and Musical Theatre and is Factory International’s Equalities & Representation Manager.

Working with BLiM, Sonia wants to help drastically improve the experience of Black artists in music and galvanise organisations to see the power of their accountability and transparency with genuine dedication to anti-racism and intersectional inclusion.

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Mahaliah Edwards

Mahaliah Edwards

BLiM Diversity Practitioner / Relationship Manager

Mahaliah is a violinist, experienced educator and community musician. Mahaliah has built a varied portfolio career, leading workshops and also working as an advocate for music education and social change, working with AYM, Sistema European Youth Orchestra and Ifa Yoruba Contemporary Arts Trust. In 2017 she was awarded the Be Inspired Youth Award by the Association of Jamaican Nationals. Mahaliah is an alumni trustee for AYM and a board member for ISM.  She sits on the Team Teach PGCEi advisory board for Music Masters, London.

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Mica Sefia

Mica Sefia

Project Coordinator / Relationship Manager

Mica Sefia is a singer / songwriter originally from Liverpool. She is a Leeds Conservatoire alumna, where she also worked as the EDI Project Coordinator. Mica uses her experience as a Black woman in the music industry to educate others and create safe spaces and opportunities for those who may not always be considered. She believes it is important for all the factors to be considered when entering a space. Working towards having policies in place works effectively to insure everybody can have an enjoyable experience no matter what environment they are in or what path of life they come from.

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Raye Harvey

Projects Coordinator

Raye is a violinist, singer songwriter and creative music facilitator based in London, who trained at the Royal Northern College of Music. After completing an instrumental PGCEi with Music Masters, Raye trained as a music leader with Spitalfields Music and Orchestras Live, and has led workshops for the RPO, Streetwise Opera, Ark Music and Chineke! Orchestra. Coming from a large Indian-Caribbean family, she has a strong interest in travel and collaboration, and supporting diversity and access to music. She works extensively as a session and orchestral musician, having performed with the Garage Classical Orchestra, with Her Ensemble, at the BRIT Awards and toured Europe and North America with the Chineke! Orchestra. Raye has performed at BBC Proms, Vogue, the Louis Vuitton Men’s Fashion Show Paris, Abbey Road Studios and Concertgebouw Amsterdam. She released her debut EP ‘Lakshmi’ in 2020 and was named BBC Introducing Artist of the Week for Hereford and Worcester. Raye’s experiences as a classical musician have given her deep personal insight into the barriers faced by musicians from diverse backgrounds in the UK, and working with BLiM is an invaluable opportunity to directly advocate for and celebrate underrepresented voices in the industry.

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Raven Ddungu

Researcher

Raven Ddungu is a researcher at Black Lives in Music, dedicated to using research to promote equality in the music industry. Her work focuses on uncovering disparities in the industry, particularly those affecting Black musicians and marginalised communities. By creating questionnaires and analysing data and trends, Raven aims to drive systemic change within the industry. Passionate about equity, Raven strives to ensure that all voices are heard and valued, regardless of background or identity.

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Carol Leeming MBE FRSA

Ambassador

Carol Leeming MBE FRSA, from Leicester, of Jamaican parentage, is an acclaimed international music artist, with major hit records, hailed as polymath by academics. A successful über diva singer-songwriter, UK pioneer of British House music. Other roles include, composer, music director, conductor/band leader, studio producer, vocal coach, and musician (percussion/keyboards). Some genres are, Nu Jazz, Soul Funk, Psychedelia, Folk Roots and Classical. With writing commissions, and leadership of large music ensembles, Sankofa and Cosmocular. Leicester. Carol is a curator, programming all Black Women music line ups, for launch events Festival 2 Funky Leicester. A role she has had for 11years. Carol was a BBC Proms trainee and worked on Proms 60 The Dream Prom Royal Albert Hall in 2022. A consultant for Music Education, her focus is Decolonising Music Curriculums, and Health & Well-Being. A Leicester University Panel Member for Music Scholarships. Carol is a member of national organisations: BLiM; Black Lives in Music; Women in Jazz; Media; The F-List and Women in Ctrl.

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