POWER UP wins DE&I Initiative Award at the Music Week Women In Music Awards 2023

We’re delighted to announce that POWER UP has been awarded the DE&I Initiative Award at the 2023 Music Week Women In Music Awards!

The DE&I Initiative Award focuses not on an overall business but a specific initiative from a business or organisation that has gone the extra mile to champion diversity and inclusion both internally and externally and demonstrating:

– Widespread Diversity – evidence of initiatives and policies that actively promote diversity, equality and inclusion of all kinds, including gender parity

– Equal Opportunities – evidence of a commitment to diversity and equality at all levels within the company, from board level through to entry level

– Education & Evangelism – examples of how the initiative is leading the way in highlighting the benefits of diversity in business

Co-founded by PRS Foundation and Ben Wynter, POWER UP’s Participant Programme elevates pioneering Black talent and is a key feature of the long-term initiative launched to address anti-Black racism and racial disparities in the music sector.

POWER UP to date has received over 1,200 applications since it was launched in February 2021, with applications from 848 Black music creators and 355 Black industry professionals at crucial career stages. The demand for a fairer and equitable music industry is now huge, and POWER UP is proving to be a vital initiative. Over £12.8m of grant support has been requested through POWER UP alone across three annual deadlines – with PRS Foundation and funding partners investing over £1.1m into participants’ projects alongside invaluable holistic support.

The programme, specifically designed to fit the needs of the participants, assists in the development of their careers and practice, to break through glass ceilings and accelerate change across the industry. This includes grant support of up to £15,000 alongside capacity building masterclasses, mentoring, coaching, mental health and wellbeing support, and access to added value support from POWER UP Partners and the peer network which is integral to breaking down barriers.

Find out more about POWER UP