POWER UP Year 5 Participants 

POWER UP has announced the music creators, industry professionals and executives who will make up Year 5 of the multi-award winning initiative.

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.

The programme – specifically designed to fit the needs of each annual cohort of participants – assists in the development of their careers and practice, to empower creators and professionals to break through glass ceilings and accelerate change across the industry. This includes grant support of up to £10,000 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.

Since POWER UP was launched in early 2021, the demand for a fairer and equitable music industry cannot be disputed. Over 1,697 Black music creators and industry professionals have applied for a place on the programme which is undoubtedly helping participants to break through glass ceiling barriers.

Our wider POWER UP Movement is harnessing the experiences of participants and Executive Steering Committee members to inform powerful, meaningful and wide-reaching action. During the fifth programme year, POWER UP will be publishing a ‘5 Years of POWER UP’ report – highlighting the impacts of the programme while sharing learnings in order to inspire active approaches to tackling anti-Black racism and further actions to improve the experiences of Black creatives in music.

Year 5 POWER UP Participants

The 41 talented music creators and industry professionals joining the POWER UP Participant network, selected by a panel of experts, are: