Amazon has been in the news quite a bit lately, and not always in a good light. 

But along with labour and delivery issues, Amazon is helping out victims of Hurricane Ida who caused a great deal of damage throughout Lousiana.

In conjunction with the Black Music Collective, Amazon Music presented two Historically Black Colleges and Universities with $10,000 each to help replace damaged musical equipment.

HBCU’s Dillard University and Xavier University were the recipients of the awards. 

The Black Music Collective is a part of the Recording Academy.

Co-President of the Recording Academy Valeisha Butterfield Jones spoke on the donations saying, “fostering opportunities for aspiring Black music professionals is one of the BMC and Recording Academy’s most urgent priorities.  Partnering with Amazon Music to award donations for music equipment to music programs on Historically Black College and University campuses affected by Hurricane Ida is the latest action in our commitment to invest in the next generation of Black music leaders. We’re honored to offer these scholarships to Dillard University and Xavier University, both of Louisiana, and continue creating pathways for success.”

Vice President of Amazon Music Ryan Redington added, “with this donation, Amazon Music and the Recording Academy are coming together to support the music departments at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which are vital to developing the next generation of Black musicians.  Hurricane Ida has made this school year even more challenging for universities across Louisiana, that’s why it was so essential for us to step up to support Dillard University and Xavier University and help to replace musical equipment damaged by the storm.”

The donations to the two HBCU schools is just one of many initiatives that BMC and Amazon Music have collaborated on.  Earlier this year three HBCU students were presented a $10,000 “Your Future is Now” scholarship; along with a two week immersive program at Amazon Music.

The Black Music Collective is comprised of music creators of colour who look to increase the voice of minorities within the music community at large and the Recording Academy in particular.  Debra Lee, John Legend, Quincy Jones, Aloe Blacc, H.E.R., and Yolanda Adams are among the artists in the BMC.

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