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.

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.

Cecilia Aronsson is a proactive Executive Assistant with a BA (Hons) in Commercial Music from University of Westminster. Aronsson has spent over a decade working in office support within the Music, Media and Creative industries in London, leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) being a former employer. With a strong passion for music and commitment to equality and diversity, Cecilia is the perfect fit to join the Black Lives in Music team to achieve change in the UK Music Industry.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Carlos Thorpe, Operations Manager, oversees daily operations and strategic initiatives. He enjoys working with BLiM and states that the team is dedicated to achieving meaningful change by increasing representation and creating fairer working conditions for members of the global majority. A dynamic Project Manager with over 20 years of experience leading complex projects across various industries, he previously provided project management consultancy at Asher Investments Ltd, supporting international business expansion. His leadership at Code Management Group Ltd, along with his expertise in risk management and team motivation, demonstrates his ability to drive growth and innovation.

I have over 25 years of experience working at the senior management level, focusing on fundraising, business development, and good governance for SLT and Boards within the creative and social impact sectors. Career highlights include the redevelopment of the Hackney Empire, serving as Chair for Theatre Centre, providing operational support for UD Music Foundation, and contributing to over 50 Olympic cultural legacy projects through Create London. I have supported the development of two new charities and six CICs, as well as capacity-building and mentoring for over 100 social entrepreneurs and SMEs. Fighting for racial and social equity, both personally and professionally, is a passion of mine. Working with BLiM allows me to extend my impact as we collectively fight for a common cause.

I’m passionate about helping brands connect with the right audiences through strategy-led marketing and branding. With over 25 years of experience across tech, luxury, and high-growth sectors, I have created and led global and national campaigns for many brands including Meta, Black Cultural Archives, Yahoo!, Shell, Jaguar, British Airways and British Film Institute among others. I focus on creating impactful campaigns that drive business growth, engagement and build visibility.

At BLiM, I contribute to amplifying important conversations in Black music, supporting initiatives that foster equality for Black and ethnically diverse music creators and professionals. It’s great to be part of a team working towards much needed and long overdue meaningful change.

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.