Black Lives In Music has launched a new Anti-Racism Code Of Conduct for the music industry described as a “game-changing initiative” that aims to “create a future where equity is the standard”.
Informed by the organisation’s ‘Being Black In The Music Industry’ survey, which “found conclusive evidence supporting the long-held beliefs about racial discrimination in the industry”, the code sets out to “create an ecosystem within music in which no individual, group or organisation experiences discrimination or acts in a discriminatory manner on the basis of race”.
The code was launched at the WOMEX conference in Manchester, where BLiM also previewed EquiTrack, a new software that will help music companies to measure the success of their diversity and inclusion efforts.
That software, says the organisation’s co-founder and Director Of Operations Roger Wilson, “highlights the innovative side of BLiM, utilising technology to support the sector”. Its launch later this year, he adds, will “shift the dial in the fight against racism while informing best practice on inclusive culture”.
The code has fourteen sections, covering things like personal safety, anti-racism training, equal pay, career progression and monitoring third party vendors. It has been designed, BLiM explains, to “have a broad application and may be appropriate for all members of, and participants in, the UK music industry including but not limited to freelancing individuals and large companies”.
The initiative is backed by the new Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, which has been set up to help prevent and tackle bullying and harassment across the UK creative industries.
Its CEO Jen Smith says, “As well as endorsing Black Live’s In Music Anti-Racism Code, CIISA will be using EquiTrack as we view it as an essential tool to embed more equitable working environments within the creative industries”.
EquiTrack, she adds, “will underpin and enable businesses to assess progress through tailored data and analysis and improve the impact and effectiveness of all our inclusion strategies and collective efforts”.
