Travis Scott is RAD
RAD, a female-founded social enterprise that creates advocacy campaigns, honored Travis Scott with a RAD Impact Award (along with other awardees: Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Laverne Cox). Scott is using his RAD Impact Award to provide several Waymon Webster scholarships to empower and enrich deserving students at HBCUs through his Cactus Jack Foundation. His honoree is Raquel Simpson, a sophomore at Howard University, who he selected to receive the first scholarship in this series.
Yoshiki Donates $100,000 to MusiCares
Iconic composer, pianist, drummer, and leader of rock group X Japan, Yoshiki donated $100,000 in support of mental health to MusiCares, a partner of the Recording Academy. Yoshiki Foundation America’s annual grant of $100,000 is used to assist music professionals in receiving psychotherapy, psychiatric care, and group therapy, expand mental health educational content and sponsor an annual moderated panel about Suicide Prevention and Education.
Lavender Country at Bluegrass Pride
Legendary gay-country pioneer, Lavender Country (Patrick Haggerty), is one of many LGBTQ+ artists to perform and participate in the Porch Pride events, described as a “month-long Queer-antine festival.” In 2020, the online Pride Parade and livestream performances raised $23,000 for queer and allied artists, and the programming has expanded to online brunch and information sessions, inclusive jam-alongs and a Brandi Pace-led Juneteenth: A Rainbow Revival, highlighting essential contributions to roots music by Black queer, trans and non-binary folks.
Steven Van Zandt Launches “TeachRock” in CT Schools
“When I was a teenager, school wasn’t reaching me,” TeachRock founder Steven Van Zandt said. “It didn’t speak to my needs or interests, and I saw no future in a society I was supposed to be a part of. Then the Beatles saved my life.” TeachRock works with participating school districts in Connecticut, at no cost, on the integration of classroom lesson plans that connect history, music, and culture.
Santana with Little Kids Rock
Ten-time Grammy winner Carlos Santana, wife/percussionist Cindy Blackman and their Milagro Foundation have partnered with the music education nonprofit Little Kids Rock to continually raise funds and launch music programs in schools. In addition to leading online music classes for students in remote learning during the pandemic, the Santanas were presenters, performers and benefactors at the annual Little Kids Rock Benefit, held virtually this year.
Roadies of Color at Pollstar Live!
Roadies of Color United International is hosting a weekend-long conference June 15-17, Production Live! 2021, which will include the 32nd Pollstar Live! and the Pollstar Awards. Programming will include production-centric industry activities, meetings and networking opportunities. Production/tour manager Bill Reeves (pictured), with fellow Roadies of Color United co-founders will present Inclusivity on the Road & At the Show, a candid discussion on the lack of diversity in live entertainment.
Young Thug and Gunna Pay Bonds for Inmate Release
Young Thug and Gunna visited Fulton County Jail, an Atlanta facility that recently attracted media attention for its extensive overcrowding with over 2900 incarcerated individuals being held there, more than 400 people over maximum capacity. Working with the district attorney’s office, lawyers, prosecutors and bond companies, Young Thug paid the bonds for a group of inmates being held on minor/petty offenses, who were able to afford the cost of release.
