The Recording Academy has launched the Indigenous Peoples Network, a global community dedicated to amplifying and preserving the contributions of Indigenous creators and their music traditions. Following a year of listening sessions, dialogue, and events, this milestone represents the Academy's commitment to diversity and inclusion across the music industry.

"The Recording Academy is committed to reflecting and serving all of today’s broad, bold, diverse music community,” said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. “I’m thrilled that we are playing a role in supporting Indigenous music creators. These music traditions have been with us forever and have influenced every American musical genre. And they are still thriving today.”

The Network’s creation has been aided by a number of individuals who have volunteered their time in service to developing this community resource. Participants in the initial work group include: YVHIKV of THRONE, Raven Kanatakta Polson-Lahache, Mersaedy Atkins, Renata Yazzie, Lil Mike & Funny Bone, Connor Chee – Diné, Raye Zaragoza, Nimkish Younging, Nathan Mudge, PJ Vegas, and Ralph Olivarez. Tribal affiliations of these participants include Pawnee, Choctaw, Navajo Nation, Akimel O’odham, Tumutevarovaro, The Yoeme People, Chino and more. Sean Smith (Chinook), Executive Vice President of Communications, also participates in the group.

Ongoing Commitment To Indigenous Representation

The Academy's efforts to support Indigenous creators extend beyond the network. In 2023, it hosted a discussion and performance with the composer and music supervisor of "Reservation Dogs" and country artist Vincent Neil Emerson, whose music is featured in the acclaimed show. Last year also marked the first-ever land acknowledgment at the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony, setting a precedent for greater inclusion.

Read more: 5 Indigenous Artists To Know: Earth Surface People, Sage Cornelius & More

The Indigenous Peoples Network is a cornerstone of the Recording Academy’s DREAM Initiative (Diversity Re-imagined by Engaging All Musicmakers), an ambitious program led by the Academy’s DEI team, Ricky Lyon and Jessica Omokheyeke. DREAM unites a wide range of initiatives aimed at fostering inclusion and equity across the music industry. 

In addition to the Indigenous Peoples Network, the Academy has developed several other resource groups and programs to address the needs of diverse communities:

• Women in the Mix: A community for women in music, advocating for increased representation within the Academy and the broader industry.

• Black Music Collective: Dedicated to the inclusion, recognition, and advancement of Black music creators and professionals.

• GRAMMYs Next Gen: A platform designed to support and empower the next generation of music creators and industry professionals.

• Academy Proud: Focused on LGBTQIA+ inclusion within the GRAMMY Organization and the music community at large.

• Gold Music Alliance: Fostering meaningful connections and elevating the impact of Pan-Asian members and allies within the GRAMMY community and the industry.

• RAA+D (Recording Academy Accessibility & Disability): A commitment to achieving true accessibility for everyone in the music community, going beyond compliance.

The Recording Academy envisions the Indigenous Peoples Network as a key component of its ongoing programming and outreach efforts. With plans to further establish the network’s core goals, the Academy aims to expand representation during marquee events, including GRAMMY Week.

Looking ahead to 2025, the Indigenous Peoples Network is set to grow its impact through targeted initiatives such as advocacy, community-building, and collaborative events. These efforts exemplify the Academy’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous creators across the music industry.

Learn more about the Recording Academy's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, recent DEI achievements, and year-round work to support artists, creators and music professionals of all backgrounds.

During her acceptance speech at the 2026 Grammys, Laufey delivered one of the most inspiring calls to action in Grammy history. Accepting the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for A Matter Of Time, the Icelandic singer/songwriter gave a massive thanks to all the music educators around the world.

"I owe everything to my music education, to my arts education," she passionately said from the Grammy stage. "We cannot cut arts funding. It's so important. What you all do here is so important."

Much like Laufey, the Grammy organization strongly champions the power of music education and professional development. To mark Music In Our Schools Month this March, the organization that provides year-round learning, networking, and professional development is spotlighting the life-changing impact of music learning, honoring music educators, and elevating the next generation of creators and industry professionals through curated programs and immersive initiatives. The organization's commitment to music education supports the entire music ecosystem — from classroom to career — and ensures emerging leaders are prepared to shape the future of music.

"For me, both music education and professional development are the same: It all points to continuing education," Dr. Chelsey Green, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Recording Academy, told the Grammy organization in an exclusive interview for the Gramophone newsletter. "Staying on top of your development is the holistic education needed to be as rounded and healthy as an artist as you can, especially as so many independent artists are emerging and sustaining their careers independently."

Here are six essential ways the Grammy organization and its affiliates support working professionals and emerging artists and leaders through year-round music education and professional development.

Investing In The Next Generation Through Mentorship & Career Access

The Grammy organization provides access to mentorship programs, internships, workshops, scholarships, and networking opportunities to ensure that music's next biggest stars and industry leaders are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and networks they need to thrive.

Grammy U & The Grammy U Mentorship Program

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Grammy U is the Grammy organization's premier membership program for the emerging music community, designed to help aspiring creators and professionals launch their careers. One of its flagship initiatives, the annual Grammy U Mentorship Program Presented by Amazon Music connects eligible Grammy U members with Recording Academy members for a six-month mentorship session, during which participants build relationships that often extend well beyond the program, with some mentees landing their first industry roles through the Grammy U Mentorship Program.

In celebration of Music In Our Schools Month, the Grammy U Mentorship Program will continue to host virtual programming for mentees this month, as well as Grammy U Mentorship Mixers across Chapters nationwide.

Leading Ladies of Entertainment Mentorship Program & Symposium

Created by the Latin Recording Academy in 2016, the Leading Ladies of Entertainment initiative bridges the gender gap in the music industry by honoring influential women and empowering future leaders. Paying-it-forward and forging opportunities for future generations is a core pillar of this initiative, and in 2021, the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation established its Mentorship Program, where  past honorees and industry professionals provide personalized guidance to selected mentees over three months, offering insights into entrepreneurship, branding, career navigation, and leadership. Applications for the fifth cohort of the Leading Ladies of Entertainment Mentorship Program are open now through Monday, April 6.

In March 2026, the initiative launched its inaugural Leading Ladies of Entertainment Symposium, an inspiring, all-day gathering focused on mentorship, leadership, networking, and the advancement of women in music.

Opening Doors Through Scholarships & Financial Support

The Grammy organization actively works to remove barriers to opportunity via its various scholarship programs, which ensure talented students can pursue their dreams without financial limitations standing in the way.

Your Future Is Now

Presented by Amazon Music and the Recording Academy's Black Music Collective (BMC), the Your Future Is Now scholarship program awards scholarships and hands-on, immersive professional development experiences to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The program will return for its fifth year in 2026.

Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship

Established in 2021 in honor of late music executive and DJ Quinn Coleman, the Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship, presented by the Grammy organization and Grammy Museum, provides professional development and resources that prepare students for full-time careers in music; resources include scholarships, stipends, wellness seminars, and internship opportunities at the Recording Academy or Latin Recording Academy.

Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation Scholarships

The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation is a global champion of music education and empowers communities through Latin music and culture. For over a decade, the Foundation has fostered the next generation of Latin music creators through scholarships, education programs and grants that advance Latin music, such as:

• The Prodigy Scholarship, also known as the 2026 Noel Schajris Scholarship, which offers financial support toward a bachelor's degree at Berklee College of Music for the 2026 fall semester

• Gifted Tuition Scholarships awarded to students to cover tuition and housing costs, as well as wrap-around services provided by the Foundation, toward a four-year bachelor's degree at the institution of their choice

• Several Tuition Assistance Scholarships, which offer financial support to students pursuing or starting a degree in music in the 2026 fall semester

Learn more about and apply to the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation scholarship programs.

Immersive Learning: Real-World Industry Experiences

Professional development comes alive when students and rising professionals step into real music spaces and attain real-world experiences from working artists and executives. Here are a few examples the Grammy organization provides:

Grammy Camp

The music industry's only summer camp dedicated to delivering direct, real-world insight from working music makers, Grammy Camp is a national summer program for high school students. Led by Grammy winners, Grammy nominees, and music industry professionals, the program provides hands-on training and insider access across multiple disciplines — from performance and songwriting to production and music business.

Presented by the Grammy Museum, Grammy Camp is expanding to four U.S. cities for the 2026 summer season: Nashville, Miami, Los Angeles, and New York City.

Grammy In The Schools

The Grammy Museum's Grammy In The Schools program is a regional music industry career day, presented in partnership with a local Recording Academy Chapter, that provides insight to high school students about diverse career options in the music industry and direction on how to prepare for them.

The Grammy In The Schools Music Industry Career Day program connects high school students with Grammy winners, Grammy nominees, and working professionals across disciplines, offering candid conversations about what it takes to build a sustainable career in music. The program also features keynote panels as well as hands-on, interactive workshops where students can learn about producing a track, writing a song, and navigating the industry.

For Music In Our Schools Month, Grammy In The Schools 2026, in partnership with the Recording Academy's New York Chapter, heads to New Haven, Connecticut, this month for a day of hands-on learning and interactive sessions.

Professional Development & Networking At Every Stage

The Grammy organization prioritizes professional development for its members, as well as the creative community and the music industry at large, throughout the year, providing hands-on access to career pathways across the industry and helping emerging professionals build the networks and skills that shape long-term careers.

The Los Angeles Chapter's NEXT Class program, founded in 2014, provides real-life experiences and mentorship and networking opportunities for emerging Recording Academy members as they begin their paths as future leaders of the music industry.

The monthly Level Up series, one of the Grammy organization's many exclusive membership programs, engages Recording Academy members through purposeful programming focused on professional development and member networking. For Music In Our Schools Month, the Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Chapters will collaboratively host a special edition of Level Up featuring Education Committee Members discussing music and health spaces.

In 2024, the Grammy organization established the Music Education & Professional Development Committee (MEPD), a hub to centralize its efforts and facilitate collaboration regarding education and professional development initiatives across the Recording Academy and its affiliates. Currently led by Co-Chairs and industry executives Nikisha Bailey and Riggs Morales, the MEPD Committee amplifies the organization's mentorship and education initiatives for its collective +29,000 members across its Chapters, Wings and affiliates, including Grammy U, the Grammy Museum, MusiCares, the Latin Recording Academy, and the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation. The MEPD Committee includes Recording Academy members from across the country and activates locally at each of the Academy's 12 Chapters and on a national level.

Honoring The Educators Who Inspire The Next Generation

Every year, the Grammy organization proudly celebrates music educators through awards that spotlight the changemakers shaping the future of music and ensuring the impact and longevity of music education in the classroom.

Music Educator Award

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Presented by the Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum, the Music Educator Award honors current educators who have made a significant contribution to music education while demonstrating a deep commitment to ensuring music education remains a vital part of school communities.

Jennifer Jimenez, of South Miami Senior High School in Miami, Florida, received the 2026 Music Educator Award; she was honored at the annual Special Merit Awards ceremony in January during Grammy Week 2026.

Applications for the 2027 Music Educator Award are now open. Nominations are due March 15, 2026. Applications are due March 31, 2026.

Latin Music Educator Award

In 2025, the Latin Recording Academy, in partnership with the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, launched the Latin Music Educator Award to honor educators from the global music community who are making a significant impact by incorporating Latin music into their curriculum.

Luciana Ortega, of the Instituto Santa María de San Carlos in Chile, was honored with the inaugural Latin Music Educator Award during Latin Grammy Week 2025 last November.

The Impact Of Music Education: By The Numbers

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The Grammy organization's commitment to music education and professional development is reflected not only in its programs, but in the thousands of lives they impact every year. Here's a look at the organization's impact on music education and professional development by the numbers:

Grammy Museum (in the last year alone)

• 18,000: Number of K-12 students who attended a workshop, field trip, or program at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles

• +38,000: Number of students and teachers who were impacted by 446 music education programs and initiatives at the Grammy Museum and across the country

• $200,000: The amount awarded in grants for music research and sound preservation by the Grammy Museum

• In 2025, the Grammy Museum announced free youth admission (17 and under), generously underwritten by the Stengaard Gross Family Education Initiative

Grammy U

• +8,000: The amount of Grammy U members worldwide

• +2,000: Participants in the current Grammy U Mentorship Program Presented by Amazon Music

• +130: Programs in 2025

• 700: Schools with members represented in Grammy U

Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation

• +$15 million: The amount the Foundation has awarded to students, schools, music programs, musicologists, and researchers from around the world to date

• New programs launched by the Foundation in 2025

  • Leading Ladies of Entertainment Fireside Chat  

  • Emerging Talent Spotlight  

  • Latin Grammy In The Schools Learning Session and After School

See the full list of winners and nominees from the 2026 Grammys.

Watch highlights and exclusive Grammys content from the 2026 Grammys all year long.

The Recording Academy's Black Music Collective (BMC) will host the fourth annual Recording Academy Honors, celebrating the illustrious careers of music legends Pharrell Williams, Brandy, and Kirk Franklin. Taking place Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, the event, an official Grammy Week 2026 event, leads up to the 2026 Grammys.

Williams will receive the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, recognizing his musical achievements, entrepreneurial innovation, philanthropic efforts, and global cultural influence. Both Brandy and Franklin will each receive the Black Music Icon Award, recognizing Black music creators whose artistry, innovation and service have shaped the industry and inspired generations around the world. Adam Blackstone will return as music supervisor for the evening.

"Pharrell, Brandy and Kirk are true visionaries and masters of their craft. Each has built a legacy that transcends genre, defies convention and shapes culture. Their artistry continues to inspire generations of artists around the world. I'm thrilled to join the Black Music Collective in honoring three of music's brightest stars in January and celebrating their immeasurable contributions to the industry," Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said.

Past Recording Academy Honors honorees include Alicia Keys, Dr. Dre, JAY-Z, John Legend, Lenny Kravitz, Lil Wayne, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, and Sylvia Rhone.

Grammy Week is the Recording Academy's weeklong celebration comprising official Grammy Week events celebrating the music community and current Grammy nominees in the lead-up to the annual Grammy Awards. Grammy Week 2026 culminates with the 2026 Grammys, which take place live Sunday, Feb. 1, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The 2026 Grammys will broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+ at 5-8:30 p.m. PT/8-11:30 p.m. ET. Hours ahead of the live telecast, the 2026 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 1, at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on live.grammy.com and the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel.

Learn more about Pharrell Williams below:

Williams is a 13-time GRAMMY Award-winning, Academy Award-nominated musician, filmmaker, philanthropist, and the Creative Director of Louis Vuitton, with over 10 billion combined global music streams to date.  This year, Williams produced Let God Sort Em Out, the highly anticipated return from Clipse, which earned five GRAMMY nominations, including Album Of The Year, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Album, and Best Music Video. In 2024, Pharrell released his critically acclaimed animated biopic PIECE BY PIECE, directed by Morgan Neville in partnership with Focus Features and LEGO. The film features a 21-track soundtrack, including five new original songs written and performed by Williams alongside 16 catalog tracks from his career. Its titular single earned him a GRAMMY nomination for Best Film Music, bringing his career total to 43 GRAMMY nominations. Beyond music and film, Williams founded YELLOW in 2019, a nonprofit committed to evening the odds for youth through education. That same year, he launched the first SOMETHING IN THE WATER festival. In 2020, he debuted Humanrace, a brand dedicated to empowering individuals in their pursuit of well-being. Williams also launched Black Ambition, a nonprofit providing pathways to success for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs.

Learn more about Brandy below:

Multi-platinum, GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and actress Brandy is one of the most influential artists in pop music history. She first rose to fame in the '90s with her quadruple-platinum self-titled debut album, her starring role in the hit sitcom Moesha and her iconic performance in Disney's television adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. Revered by peers and fans as "the Vocal Bible," Brandy is celebrated for her unparalleled, emotionally rich voice and genre-defining catalog – from her five-time-platinum album Never Say Never and its GRAMMY-winning classic "The Boy Is Mine" to her acclaimed 2020 album b7. In 2023, she released Christmas With Brandy, a holiday album highlighting her continued evolution as a vocalist and storyteller. She continues to expand her creative imprint through acting, with roles in A24's The Front Room, Disney's Descendants: The Rise of Red and the 2025 film I Know What You Did Last Summer. She is currently preparing to release her memoir PHASES, described as the result of countless hours of reflection, work and healing.

Learn more about Kirk Franklin below:

Franklin is a 20-time GRAMMY Award-winning artist, songwriter and producer whose innovative fusion of gospel, R&B, hip-hop, and pop has redefined contemporary gospel music for more than three decades. His critically acclaimed 2023 album Father's Day featured the No. 1 single "All Things," earning him his 20th GRAMMY Award, followed by the uplifting 2025 release "Do It Again." Franklin recently received the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2025 BET Awards for his enduring influence across music and entertainment, and debuted his original series Den of Kings, which drew over one million views in its first week. His influence spans generations and genres, highlighted by collaborations with artists such as Chance the Rapper, Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake, and Mariah Carey. Beyond music, he continues to broaden his creative footprint through television and film, as well as his SiriusXM channel, Kirk Franklin's Praise. A committed mentor and advocate, he supports emerging talent through initiatives like Camp Lotus and champions organizations such as Compassion International and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He remains committed to inspiring people worldwide with a message rooted in faith, love and resilience.

Franklin was initially set to be honored during the 2025 event prior to the Recording Academy's decision to condense GRAMMY Week programming to prioritize Los Angeles wildfire response. See here for Franklin's initial announcement as the Black Music Icon Award honoree.

Learn more about the Black Music Collective below:

The Black Music Collective (BMC) is an advisory board of music industry leaders dedicated to advancing opportunities in Black music and championing increased representation across the field. Since its inception, the BMC has remained dedicated to championing and empowering Black music creators and industry leaders. Powered by the Recording Academy's DREAM Network, the BMC serves as a central hub for creators and business leaders across all genres, uniting visionary voices to set unified goals, foster community and drive meaningful change within the industry. In further support of its mission to cultivate the next generation of Black leaders in music, the BMC awarded $85,000 in scholarship grants last year to Black college students and HBCU music programs.Learn more about the Black Music Collective and follow the BMC on Instagram and Facebook for more news and updates.

Learn more about the Black Music Collective and the Recording Academy's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, recent DEI achievements, and year-round work to support artists, creators and music professionals of all backgrounds.

Award-winning global creative and experiential agency MVD Inc. returns to produce Recording Academy Honors for the fourth consecutive year. Guests will enjoy specialty cocktails by PATRÓN Tequila throughout the star-studded celebration.

This month, the Recording Academy reached a groundbreaking milestone with the official launch of Crear Música, the newest wing of the Academy's DREAM (Diversity Reimagined by Engaging All Music-People) Network, which uplifts and connects Latin creators across the music industry.

Held at CHICA at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas during Latin GRAMMY Week 2025, the launch event marked a landmark celebration that brought together artists, executives, community leaders, and Latin GRAMMY nominees for a morning that blended connection, conversation, and live performance all centered on one idea: music as a bridge between cultures.

Part of the Recording Academy's DREAM Network, an inclusive network of member resource groups spotlighting the contributions and initiatives of creators and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds, Crear Música reflects the Academy's ongoing commitment to inclusion and cultural representation. Developed in partnership with the Recording Academy's Los Angeles Chapter, the Latin Recording Academy, and SESAC Latina, the program underscored a shared goal: expanding opportunity, access, and visibility for Latin creators across the global music landscape.

During his opening remarks, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. spoke about the importance of this collaboration — ensuring that Latin music is not only celebrated during GRAMMY season, but supported year-round through meaningful engagement and equitable opportunity.

"Our goal has always been to make sure the Academy reflects the world of music it represents," Mason jr. said in his speech. "That means amplifying Latin creators, building bridges with our partners at the Latin Recording Academy, and continuing to grow a membership that's as diverse and dynamic as the music itself."

Recording Academy staffers and guests attend the Crear Música: Elevating Culture, Empowering Community event on Nov. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada | Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy

Event guests enjoyed a Latin-inspired menu curated by Chef Lorena García, whose culinary artistry at CHICA reflected the same vibrancy and storytelling spirit celebrated on stage. Chef Lorena also shared heartfelt remarks about the power of art. She spoke about the deep connection between music and cooking, two creative languages that tell stories. Welcoming nominees and guests with warmth, she reminded the room, "Esta es tu casa y este es tu día" ("This is your home and this is your day"), emphasizing that music "connects us all as Latinos — as artists and as dreamers."

The program featured a moving performance by Nic, whose soulful set embodied the heart of Crear Música: authenticity, emotion, and cultural pride. Her performance transformed the room into a shared space of reflection and joy, reminding attendees that music remains one of the world's most powerful storytellers.

Nic performs at the Crear Música: Elevating Culture, Empowering Community event on Nov. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada | Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy

Before the performance, Qiana Conley, Senior Executive Director of the Recording Academy's Los Angeles Chapter, delivered remarks on the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and the Chapter's role in bridging the Recording Academy and Latin Recording Academy communities, particularly through dual membership and local engagement.

"Crear Música is more than a celebration, it's a commitment," Conley said. "For the first time, all Latin Recording Academy Voting Members were invited to join the Recording Academy, an important step toward a more inclusive and representative membership body."

A Commitment To The Future

As one of the eight DREAM Network groups, Crear Música serves as the Recording Academy's dedicated hub for Latin creators. Its mission is to strengthen ties between the Recording Academy and Latin Recording Academy, build professional pathways, empower and elevate Latin voices in music culture, and celebrate the diversity and excellence that define Latin music today.

The Crear Música event signaled a new chapter, one in which visibility meets action and cultural celebration becomes a sustained commitment.

"This is just the beginning," Ricky Lyon, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) for the Recording Academy, said in his opening remarks. "We're building something that lasts far beyond Latin GRAMMY Week — a year-round movement that ensures every creator feels seen, supported, and part of the story."

Recording Academy staffers and guests attend the Crear Música: Elevating Culture, Empowering Community event on Nov. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada | Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy

About Crear Música

Part of the Recording Academy's DREAM Network (Diversity Reimagined by Engaging All Music-People), Crear Música is a community-based initiative designed to connect and empower Latin creators and professionals across the industry through opportunity, mentorship, and storytelling that reflects the depth and impact of Latin music worldwide.

About The DREAM Network

The DREAM Network is the Recording Academy's inclusion engine, designed to amplify underrepresented voices, expand access, and build equity across the music ecosystem. Through eight community networks and emerging leadership programs, the DREAM Network ensures that every creator has space to be seen, heard, and supported. The DREAM Network is composed of eight priority resource groups:

• Women in the Mix: To build a community for all women and increase representation within the Recording Academy and in the music industry.

• Black Music Collective: Dedicated to the inclusion, recognition, and advancement of Black music and its creators and professionals.

• GRAMMYs Next Gen: Supports and empowers the next generation of music creators and professionals.

• Academy Proud: Positions the GRAMMY organization as the LGBTQIA+ inclusion leader for our members and the music community at large.

• Gold Music Alliance: Fosters meaningful connections and elevates the impact of Pan-Asian members and allies within the GRAMMY organization and the music industry.

• Crear Música: Celebrates the Latino culture, develops members, and positively impacts the music community.

• Indigenous Peoples Network: Develops a global community contributing to the preservation and honoring of Indigenous peoples and their traditions in music.

• RAA+D (Recording Academy Accessibility and Disability): A commitment beyond compliance by achieving true accessibility for everyone in our music community.

Learn more about Crear Música and the Recording Academy's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, recent DEI achievements, and year-round work to support artists, creators and music professionals of all backgrounds.

The GRAMMY Museum and the Recording Academy have announced the launch of the 2025 Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship. 

Now in its fourth year, the Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship aims to elevate the next generation of music creators and professionals in the industry by providing professional development and resources that prepare students for full-time careers.

Through the scholarship, five students will receive:

• Two $1,000 tuition scholarships

• A $500 stipend for interview preparation

• Two $250 stipends for books and equipment

• Access to financial and emotional wellness seminars

• A spring internship at the Recording Academy or Latin Recording Academy

Applications for the 2025 Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship open today (Friday, Oct. 10) and close Friday, Nov. 14. Scholarship recipients will be announced Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Apply for the 2025 Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship. Learn more about the Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship program.

Established in 2021, the scholarship is named in honor of late music executive and DJ Quinn Coleman, who tragically passed away in 2020 at the age of 31. Known for his unwavering commitment to music, culture and community, Coleman’s passion continues through this scholarship, which supports college students shaping the future of music through innovation, storytelling and impact.

"Quinn believed deeply in the power of music and was passionate about using his platform to uplift emerging voices and open doors for the next generation of talent," Debra Lee, mother of Quinn Coleman and former CEO of BET Networks, said in a statement. "This scholarship is a true reflection of his generous spirit and carries forward his vision for a more inclusive music industry. I'm incredibly proud to see his legacy continue to empower future leaders in music."

The Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship is rooted in the mission of the Recording Academy’s DREAM (Diversity Reimagined by Engaging All Musicmakers) Network, which celebrates the cultural contributions of creators across eight resource groups and works to ensure the music community is fully represented.