This includes identifying issues of bias, discrimination and inequality and design initiatives to improve access, advancement, recruiting and retention of diverse workforce at all levels within the company.

We know that we have work to do within our own company and the TFMC will examine UMG’s policies, procedures, work environment as they apply to our workforce. While the TFMC’s efforts have an initial focus on police brutality and government sponsored discrimination, the mission is to identify and address all issues of inequality, racism and bias. This list will be updated on an ongoing basis as the TFMC continues to identify, review and assess potential beneficiaries.Īcknowledging that racism, intolerance and bias know no borders, the TFMC is focused on adoption of global policies and initiatives to address equality, bias, equity and inclusion efforts for all UMG offices around the world. TFMC will pursue initiatives with, and fund charitable contributions to organizations that are focused on providing support in the following areas: economic empowerment and business development housing legal services and bail mental health services physical health services legislative reform and voting resources and education.Įffective immediately, the TFMC will provide support through an initial round of grants to several organizations including Black Girl Ventures, Black Lives Matter, Black Mental Health Alliance, Colin Kaepernick Foundation, Color Of Change, Equal Justice Initiative, National Association of Black Journalists, Silence the Shame, Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California, The Bail Project and When We All Vote. On behalf of UMG’s family of labels and companies including Blue Note Records, Bravado, Capitol Music Group, Capitol Christian Music Group, Def Jam Records, Interscope Geffen A&M, Island Records, Motown, Republic Records, Universal Music Enterprises, Universal Music Latin, Universal Music Group Nashville, Universal Music Publishing Group and Verve Label Group. The Task Force is organized into six areas of focus, including: There is an incredible amount of work to be done and as part of the first phase of our initiatives, we’ve established a $25 million “Change Fund” to be invested across the activities outlined below. It is our mission to identify the gaps and deficiencies and to strengthen UMG’s plan with new initiatives. We are charged with reviewing the company’s commitment to addressing and promoting tolerance, equality, and elimination of bias, within UMG, the music community and the world at large. Task Force for Meaningful Change (TFMC) was created as a driving force for the ongoing fight for equality, justice and inclusion. As Lucian wrote, UMG has committed resources and empowered us to create a task force to be both a resource and ally to our internal and external community. The problems we are addressing are not new and they certainly do not have easy solutions, but we are dedicated to fighting for real, lasting change. From the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd to the senseless killing of numerous protestors fighting for justice, and the appalling, racially charged confrontation in New York’s Central Park, we all have had a front row seat, once again, in the theater of racism, hatred and intolerance. While the Black community has long lived with the reality of police violence, the events of the past several weeks have been devastating.

We are living through some of the most challenging times in recent history. Read Harleston and Habtemariam's memo below: Initial actions include employee town hall meetings, political activism, legal volunteering and funds for justice and employee contribution. The TFMC-which consists of UMG executives across all Uni imprints-has outlined how UMG will invest the $25m 'Change Fund' established on Thursday, 6/4.Īmong the areas the task force will focus on include Charitable Donations Global acknowledgement of inclusion/equality Internal/Institutional Change Legislative/Public Policy, Partering with impactful voices and Programming/Curation. They sent a message to UMG colleagues today announcing the first phase and initial plans for the company's commitment to 'promoting tolerance, equality and elimination of bias within UMG, the music community and the music world at large.' Interim Def Jam Chairman/CEO Jeff Harleston and Motown President/EVP Capitol Music Group Ethiopia Habtemariam are Co-Chairs of the TFMC. UMG has announced the Task Force for Meaningful Change( TFMC) in response to the 'real and constructive change' Chairman Sir Lucian Grainge committed to at the start of this week.

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