Sarah Shodipe: Power Up Industry Professionals
Sarah Shodipe
Freelance Music Journalist / Founder, Alt Access / PA Assistant, Dawbell
Sarah’s resume is as long as it is notorious! She began her career as a Rock Music Journalist whilst still studying for a degree in Classics, writing for world-renown publications and covering high flying Alternative acts. Not long after, she took her talents to the world of Music & Entertainment PR. Working for the likes of The Noise Cartel, LD Communications and Dawbell PR, she proved herself a formidable force when it comes of Rock, Metal and all your favourite mid-2000 emo pop-punk bands.
Sarah really took things to a new level as part of the Promoter team at Live Nation UK, working on the best gigs with the coolest artists around. All through this time, Sarah has experienced her fair sense of racial discrimination, both passive and more insidious. But instead of letting these experiences affect her, she launched Alternative Access, a music industry career counselling network for POC, in early 2021 as a direct response to the June 2020 BLM resurgence and to make sure no-one experiences the injustices she has.
Sarah’s unbridled passion for Rock & Alt music is only surpassed by her fervent belief that the scene she loves so much should be a more inclusive space. Now with the help of the Power Up Programme, she’s set to be at the forefront of breaking down barriers that are long due for a sledgehammer…
“Being Black in the Rock & Metal scene can be a minefield! It’s nice to have initiatives like Power Up to help you feel like you’re not alone.” Sarah Shodipe