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Working in the music industry as a woman of color has been an alienating journey for a long time. With a career of eleven years in the live entertainment space as a black woman Candace Newman rose through the ranks from an executive assistant to eventually a director of touring with few people who resembled her to celebrate with. To combat this experience, she created Live Out L!ve which creates opportunities and sparks conversations to inspire and empower the next generation of diverse leaders in the live music industry.
While many initiatives have been created in response to Blackout Tuesday, Live Out L!ve comes from a pre-Blackout Tuesday perspective and understanding of the historical lack of diversity. An interesting point was brought up that it's extremely hard for us to leverage and elevate from entry level positions. To have a succession plan that aligns with the growth and development of people of color within these spaces is imperative. Making distinctions like this is important when examining each step of the process and separates the performative from genuine actionable efforts. Candace has hopes that this was a pinnacle moment that will create lasting change in the music industry.
“If the action is not equitable or motivated from a place of compassion and mindfulness then it's gonna fall by the wayside”
As a part of arguably the most affected by COVID-19 in the music industry, Candace has used this time to “pivot with purpose” and dive deeper into her mission of educating, mentoring and developing students of the business. She is currently planning a variety of virtual events that walks students through the process and teaches them one-on-one how to be a part of this new reality. Concentrating on approaching the business from a compassionate and mindful perspective instead of purely technical allows her to create a space that resembles what it should look like to her. Creating access and opportunity for others to have the skills and the resources that they need allows them to qualify and to attain roles within the touring space.
As an entrepreneur Candace is also supporting platforms that find resources and tools to create so the community doesn’t have to depend on established businesses when touring comes back around. Being innovative will only expand the live music space and investing in those women of color who want to capitalize on these opportunities is where that begins.
“We understand that where there is no presence, there are no open doors.”
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