Music is $2 Billion+ industry with over 20,000 jobs in Seattle. African-Americans and the Central District have played a major role in the development of Seattle's musical legacy from jazz to blues funk to hip hop yet still have minimal representation in the industry economics.

The purpose of this summit is to bring together stakeholders including musicians, artists, promoters, venues, media, educators, etc, to increase awareness of opportunities and strengthen networks for action. 

Our goal is to address the current state and future of Black Music in Seattle and the Central District and explore the opportunities and challenges in context of the Seattle's City of Music Initiative www.cityofmusic.com to make Seattle a global music mecca by 2020.

The event will:

• Provide established and aspiring musicians and entrepreneurs with valuable insights regarding earning a living from their creative talents
• Facilitate networking and relationship building between music stakeholders including musicians, event producers/venue managers, promoters, media, educators, business owners, residents, developers and stakeholders in the broader music community
• Raise awareness about music related career paths including management, marketing, business administration, journalism, film/video, technology and education/human services 
• Increase awareness of the City of Music Initiative

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE:

11:00am - 12pm Industry Stakeholders Meet & Greet Brunch

12:15pm Welcome & Opening Statements

12:30 State of Black Music in Seattle

• Ishmael Butler, Shabazz Palaces/SubPop Records
• Ouwar Arunga, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis/Arunga Music, LLC
• Dr. James Gore, Ariel Media/Jackson St. Music Program
• Jazmyn Scott, The Town Ent.
• Erinn “Ms. Urban 411” Renee, C89.5FM The Gospel Show/Rite Marketing
• Ricardo Frazer, Zaki Rose Agency/MeMusic.com

1:45pm - 2:45 Feast or Famine: Making Money In Today’s Music Biz

• LaTanya “Sista Luv” Horace, Singer/Songwriter
• Darryl Crews, Executive, Sky Movement (Tacoma, WA)
• Tendai Baba Maraire, Shabazz Palaces/Chimerunga Renaissance
• Larry Mizell, The Stranger
• Lara Davis, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture
• Mark Henderson, International Musican & Band Leader (Hong Kong)
• Moni Tep, Recording Artist

3:15-4:15 Using Music To Activate Neighborhoods Roundtable

• Royal Alley Barnes, Executive Director, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute

• Evelyn Allen - Exec. Dir., Village Spirit Center for Community Change

• Felix Ngoussou, Owner - Lake Chad Cafe

• Liz Johnson, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture

• Jason Davidson, Owner - Cortona Cafe & Parklet

• Robert Stevens - African American Veterans Group of Washington State/23rd Ave ACT/Garfield Community Council

• Savior Knowledge, Union Street Business Association

• Heidi Jackson, CEO Hidmo Cypher

• Suntonio Bandanaz - Artists, 206Zulu

• Central Area Chamber of Commerce

• Rahwa Habte, City of Seattle/Hidmo/Washington Hall

Young Artists Roundtable facilitated by Freshest Roots

4:30 -5:45 Music, Technology & Marketing presented by Hack The CD

About City of Music Initiative                               

In 2008, the City launched the City of Music initiative to create action that enhances the climate for Seattle’s music industry, and propels Seattle’s leadership role in music throughout the nation and the world. The initiative brings musicians, audiences, business leaders, educators and politicians together in enthusiastic support of the creative, economic and culture value of music. The initiative is organized into three categories: City of Musicians, City of Live Music and City of Music Business. For more information visit www.cityofmusic.com.