Black Lives in Music has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2023, joining the ranks of OpenAI, Disney, Tiffany & Co., and more.
This year’s list highlights the businesses at the forefront of their respective industries, paving the way for the innovations of tomorrow. These companies are setting the standard with some of the greatest accomplishments of the modern world. In addition to the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies, 540 organizations are recognized across 54 sectors and regions.
“It’s amazing that to be recognised as one of the world’s Most Innovative Companies in 2023 and top 10 in music by Fast Company. We are truly grateful. We have been named alongside some of the biggest companies in the world such as Spotify, OpenAI and Soundcloud. We are so proud of our amazing team and community without whom this could have never been possible.
We are dedicated to people and purpose, our aim is to inspire change and our focus is unwavering in pursuit of a fair, equal and safe music industry where everyone thrives.
This year, we are launching an industry wide anti racism code of conduct and a data driven approach to EDI that will support social change and a level playing field in the music ecosystem.
Thank you to our partners that have supported us and our community who inspire us. We are culture. We are innovation. We are Black Lives in Music”
said Charisse Beaumont, Chief Executive.
Over the past 18 months Black Lives in Music published The Being Black in the UK Music Industry Pt. 1 is the largest survey of Black musicians and music industry professionals conducted in the UK to date. The survey, which partnered with Opinium Research, revealed a majority of those who took part have experienced direct or indirect acts of racism in the music industry. The survey also found some stark data identifying a link between this discrimination and mental wellbeing, especially among Black women.
Has partnered with over 85 music organisations to formulate actionable steps around traditional barriers to inclusive practice.
BLiM are launching an industry wide anti racism code of conduct for the music industry, endorsed by Creative Standards Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) to launch in Summer 2023, to raise standards and tackle discrimination. It covers issues such as discriminatory behaviour, micro-aggressions, support mechanisms for staff, mandatory anti-racism training, equal pay and contracts, career progression and achieving proportionate representation in the artist, technical and production communities. Fast Company’s editors and writers sought out the companies making the biggest strides around the globe. They also judged nominations received through their application process.
The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s signature franchise and one of its most highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. It provides a firsthand look at the inspiring and innovative efforts of companies across all sectors of the economy.
“What a strange and thrilling year it has been to honor this year’s Most Innovative Companies. This year’s list compiles some of the most cutting-edge groundbreakers who are changing our world every single day, from legacy organizations like McDonald’s to upstarts like MrBeast and institutions such as NASA. Everyone on this list does something completely, uniquely different, yet, they all have one thing in common: innovation,”
said Fast Company editor-in-chief BrendanVaughan.
Fast Company will host its third annual Most Innovative Companies Summit on April 19 and 20. The virtual summit celebrates the Most Innovative Companies in business, and provides an inside look at cutting-edge business trends and what it takes to innovate in 2023. Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies issue (March/April 2023) is available online here, as well as in-app form via iTunes, and on newsstands beginning March 14. The hashtag is #FCMostInnovative.