Dee Poku Spalding

Measuring the economic impact of live events to our local communities doesn't happen nearly often enough. It's an expensive and ardious process. Thanks Jason "J." Carter for investing in the ONE Musicfest study that verifies what many of us often preach - the impact of a live event is far greater reaching than the sound of the show. Some additional context... The State of Live survey conducted recently by NIVA - National Independent Venue Association - the first comprehensive economic study of the independent live entertainment sector - attributes a $153.1B annual economic impact in the US. B = Billions, including $12B paid in taxes to state and local govts. The independent live entertainment sector is overlooked and under-invested. Thanks to everyone telling the story of our success to bring this impact to the headlines.

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Day 2 of HFAS18 at The Glasshouse was a powerful reminder that the Black Creative Economy is not a trend, it’s a strategy. Under our theme Art For Technology, we witnessed artists, collectors, founders, and technologists building real pathways to ownership, scalability, and generational wealth. This is about more than art on the walls; it’s about infrastructure, innovation, and positioning our community to control platforms, narratives, and economic outcomes over the next five years. The energy in the room was clear: we are building, we are investing, and we are future-proofing culture. Are you a part of the movement? #HFAS18 #BuyBlackArt #Harlem #CreativeEconomy

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🎯 Corporate Sponsors: Position Your Brand Where Culture, Influence & Innovation Converge The 2026 NCBAE Conference is the first of its kind- a four-day creative ecosystem uniting top-tier Black artists, entertainers, entrepreneurs, investors, arts professionals, and cultural patrons under one roof. Whether your goal is brand reach, visibility, or lead generation, this is the opportunity your marketing strategy has been waiting for. 📊 Why Sponsor? Let’s Break It Down pt. 1: 👥 Audience Reach & Quality • 300+ expected attendees, including award-winning artists, producers, curators, fashion designers, arts admins, and creative entrepreneurs • Highly diverse, influential, and culturally connected with a proven spend in entertainment, tech, lifestyle, travel, and fashion • From Gen Z creatives to seasoned industry leaders- your brand meets decision-makers AND tastemakers 💥 Your Investment Creates Real Impact: 1. Pays and elevates Black creatives and culture bearers through fair compensation and visibility 2. Provides access for underrepresented and emerging creatives, ensuring they are seen, heard, and supported 3. Strengthens the long-term infrastructure of the Black arts ecosystem beyond the conference ⸻ 📩 Let’s build something powerful together. Reach us at info@ncbae.org to discuss how we can mskr impact together. #NCBAEConference #CulturalLeadership #CreativeEconomy #CorporateSponsorship #MarketingWithPurpose #Excellence #BrandPartnership #DiversityInTheArts #EntertainmentIndustry #Creatives #LeadGeneration #ImpactAndInfluence

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Ever wondered how African music is opening doors in China? In this interview with Business Africa Online (BAO) , I share how we’re using cultural strategy—not just sound—to help international artists break into one of the world’s most complex markets. From traditional drums to digital distribution, this is about building real bridges through music. If you’re in music, media, or global business, this read will give you a fresh lens on cultural exports.

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Why Aren’t Kenyan Musicians Earning Enough From Their Music? At Music Custodian, we've long recognized the undeniable talent within Kenya’s music ecosystem. Yet, despite growing visibility and creativity, many Kenyan musicians still face immense challenges when it comes to earning a living from their art. In our latest investigative report, we explore the key factors contributing to this income disparity: Opaque royalty systems and underperforming collection management organizations. Low monetization from streaming platforms due to poor regional infrastructure and lack of digital publishing support. Unstructured performance contracts and exploitative deals that leave artists unpaid or underpaid. Rampant piracy and informal distribution networks. Policy gaps and minimal enforcement from music regulatory bodies. This is not just a Kenyan issue—it’s a broader African music industry concern that calls for policy reforms, better governance, education, and collective ownership models. Our platform stands as an ally, documenting the truths and advocating for change. The artists deserve better. And we believe there’s a clear path forward—with the right tools, partnerships, and community action. Read the full story via [MusicCustodian.com] https://lnkd.in/dhvNbbri Let’s continue the conversation and support sustainable growth for Kenyan—and African—music.

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Episode 13 of Season 4 of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series is now live. This conversation features the creators of Sista Brunch Podcast, a media platform grounded in culture, sisterhood, archival, and intentional dialogue. We discuss what it means to build and sustain a Black women-led media platform, how podcasting functions as both archive and community tool, and the responsibility that comes with holding space publicly. Key themes in this episode: • Building community through audio • Navigating growth and visibility • Balancing entrepreneurship with creative integrity • Sustaining collaborative platforms For podcasters, founders, and community leaders, this episode offers insight into how intentional storytelling strengthens ecosystems. Watch on YouTube https://lnkd.in/dTWMM3Qq or stream on your preferred platform https://lnkd.in/eh63D4-R.

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Excited to share our latest Boardroom TV Podcast episode: "The Valuation of Sound: Assetization, Tech Disruption, and the New Global Music Order" featuring the incredible Thando Makhunga, MD of Downtown Music Publishing Africa! In this 40-minute deep dive, Thando breaks down how African music IP is becoming a powerhouse asset class, from rebranding strategies that elevate global valuations to building robust royalty infrastructure for an AI-future. As former station manager of 947 and Chairperson of MPASA, her insights on turning heritage catalogs into "cold hard cash" are a must-hear for anyone in music, finance, or creative industries. At The Boardroom TV, we're all about informing, inspiring, and equipping leaders to shape Africa's digital transformation. Watch the full episode on YouTube: [https://lnkd.in/dm7KQYfy] What are your thoughts on music as an alternative investment? Tag a colleague who needs to hear this! Let's connect and collaborate—reach out if you're interested in partnerships, media production, or our upcoming Business Day TV show. #AfricanBusiness #MusicIndustry #ThoughtLeadership #ThandoMakhunga #DowntownMusic #BoardroomTV #InnovationAfrica #CreativeEconomy

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Powering Africa’s Next Narrative The Next Narrative Africa Fund is a $40 million mission driven content and media fund to invest in commercially viable audio-visual content made on the Continent by African and African-diaspora storytellers. The Next Narrative Africa Fund aims to change the narrative about Africa and people of African descent by telling African stories for global impact. It will also fuel the growth of the creative industries in Africa, empower artists by promoting business and intellectual property ownership, and contribute to sustainable livelihoods across Africa and its diaspora.

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The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is a nonprofit educational and professional organization of African American journalists, students, and media professionals. Founded on December 12, 1975, in DC by 44 journalists, NABJ’s stated purpose is to provide quality programs and services to and advocate on behalf of Black journalists. The organization has worked for diversity and to increase the number of minorities in newsrooms across the country. NABJ has a membership of 4,100 and is the largest organization of journalists of color in the US. The organization was one of the four minority journalist member associations in the UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc. until they seceded. The organization’s annual Salute to Excellence Awards honors coverage of African American people and subjects. Awards given include Journalist of the Year, Emerging Journalist, and Lifetime Achievement; past honorees have included Lester Holt, Ed Bradley, Carole Simpson, Byron Pitts, Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Bernard Shaw, Gwen Ifill, and Michele Norris. NABJ maintains the NABJ Hall of Fame. The founding meeting of the NABJ was held at the Sheraton Park Hotel. The interim committee for the NABJ, the Association of Black Journalists in Philadelphia, the Chicago Association of Black Journalists, the San Francisco Association of Black Journalists, and the Washington Association of Black Journalists hosted the founding to create the NABJ based on the work of the Black Perspective, a 1967 group of journalists. NABJ was created because, at the time, there were associations of other professions including teachers, lawyers, and doctors, and journalism was believed to be as important as other professions. NABJ was founded to increase the presence of Black people in mainstream media and change the misrepresentation of Black people. The organization used the constitution of The Association of Black Journalists in Philadelphia. The organization explicitly stated its excitement to cover the 1976 presidential campaigns. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

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Alicia Keys Launches $1 Billion Fund for Black-Owned Businesses. Singer Alicia Keys is using her platform to help further racial equality. She has launched a new $1 billion endowment fund aimed at supporting Black businesses and communities. #America #Africa #World

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Thrilled to share this upcoming conversation hosted by the Haitian Women's Alliance! As someone in media, I deeply value seeing diverse voices shaping the stories we tell. This panel brings together Haitian women who are doing just that—leading and redefining narratives across journalism, television, and digital platforms. Owning the Narrative: Haitian Women Shaping Media will feature accomplished leaders: · Manecha Guillaume – Executive Director of Video Production, Hearst Magazines · Nadine Comerford – Senior Director, NBC News Midwest Bureau · Genevieve Michel-Bryan – Senior Vice President, Head of Events & Video Production, Black Enterprise Our panelists will share their journeys, discuss the challenges and triumphs of navigating the industry, and explore how Haitian women are shaping culture, representation, and storytelling in media today. Moderated by Award-winning journalist Marlie Hall, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Looking forward to tuning in and supporting this important dialogue! #WomensHistoryMonth #HaitianWomenInMedia #MediaLeadership #RepresentationMatters #HaitianExcellence

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We discuss the intricacies of executive producing a film, focusing on the importance of financing and selecting the right actors. Yowda shares insights about casting actors versus rappers, highlighting the professional approach of trained actors who can fully immerse themselves in roles without ego complications. Click the LINK in BIO to watch the full Episode with recording artist, entrepreneur, executive producer, and actor Destin “Yowda” White at TheVegasCircle.com. Also avail on all podcast audio outlets and YouTube.

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Building legacy beyond the stage. Nigerian music icon Tiwa Savage has launched a new foundation aimed at empowering emerging African talent creating pathways for the next generation of artists to grow, develop, and be heard. As one of Africa’s most influential voices in global music, her move reflects a broader shift from success to impact where artists are not only shaping culture but also building structures that sustain it. By investing in talent development, mentorship, and opportunity, initiatives like this strengthen the foundation of Africa’s creative economy. The future of African music is not just bright it’s being built. 🎶🌍 #TiwaSavage #AfricanMusic #CreativeEconomy #TalentDevelopment #TimeAfricaNetwork

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