Report uncovers discrimination of Black disabled music creators

The extent to which Black disabled music creators and music professionals are being held back by discrimination and a lack of support in the music industry is laid bare in a new report.

The UNSEEN UNHEARD report, from Black Lives in Music and disabled music charity Attitude is Everything, found Black disabled people are facing pronounced instances of intersectional bias across the music industry.

Just over a third (38%) of 149 respondents to a survey said they feel diversity and inclusion is an industry priority, while 91% of Black disabled creators and professionals said they were unsatisfied with how they are supported in the industry.

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The report says these findings suggest Black disabled people are not yet feeling the benefits of existing campaigns and underlines the need for ongoing work on the issue, rather than short-lived moments.

Since the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, the sector has experienced increased scrutiny on how it develops, supports and protects Black creatives. While many organisations promised change, progress in some areas has been slow.

Black Lives in Music Chief Executive, Charisse Beaumont, said the landscape feels like it is changing in some ways.

“We have seen a reversal by organisations and the government of the commitments they made in 2020,” Beuamont added.

“However, what is encouraging is that we are seeing bold individuals and organisations who are resolute in demonstrating to the world that inclusion and authenticity is the new normal.”

“Together with Attitude is Everything, Black Lives in Music are on a mission for Black Disabled music creators and professionals to no longer be unseen and unheard but instead celebrated, uplifted and granted the same opportunities as others.”

Widespread discrimination

The report found the majority of Black disabled people in the music industry have experienced discrimination, including 80% of Black disabled music creators and 89% of Black disabled music professionals surveyed.

It adds it can be difficult for Black disabled people to determine if the discrimination they are facing is racism or ableism. While respondents said over two third of cases of discrimination were race discrimination, instances of gender discrimination and disability discrimination were also reported.

Almost three quarters (74%) said they had experienced significant career barriers because of their race or ethnicity, while 73% say they have seen their non-Black contemporaries promoted ahead of them despite being less qualified.

Attitude is Everything Founder, Suzanne Bull, said the report is a “rallying cry to the industry to listen to Black disabled artists and professionals to respond to their experiences of race and disability-related barriers”.

“The report’s sobering findings highlight the many ways in which Black disabled talent is being held back. This needs to urgently change,” she said.

Bull added that diversity conversations need to become an integral part of all conversations across conference stages, industry forums and boardrooms, and not just spaces marked for diversity discussions. 

“This is the way that Black disabled people will be enabled to speak truth to power, showcase their skills and talent, and pursue ambitions free of the barriers which are artificially created for the benefit of no one within the industry.”

Ongoing commitment

The report lists a series of call for action from talent development organisations, funders, industry support services, education providers and all industry employers, including a recruitment drive for Black disabled people, as well as industry mentoring schemes and increased health support.

It adds Black disabled people must be involved in the consultation, planning and evaluation of services designed for artists and professionals, including the creation of safe spaces for Black disabled creative industries students.

Black Lives in Music and Attitude is Everything have pledged to lead the way by commiting to their own recruitment of Black disabled talent. 

The two organisations will also collaborate on creating peer support and platform sharing opportunities, facilitating action-focused conversations and producing content to educate industry professionals about Black disabled lived experiences.

Their first joint action, a podcast series interviewing Black disabled creators and industry professionals about their experiences of navigating the industry, has been launched to coincide with the report.