Who We Are


The Black Music Coalition (BMC) is a Black led organisation created in June 2020, in the wake of #TheShowMustBePaused and the parallel movement in the UK, #TheShowMustBePausedUK, at a time when a spotlight had been cast on anti-Black systemic racism in the world causing Black executives in the UK music industry to look inwards at the industry and to reflect upon their shared experiences of racism and discrimination as Black execs. The commonalities of those experiences informed the creation of our organisation and its goals.

The BMC is dedicated to eradicating racial inequality and establishing equality and equity for Black executives, artists and their communities within the UK Music Industry. The organisation currently consists of an executive committee formed of Black professionals either working in or affiliated to the UK music industry, as well as a wider committee also formed of Black music industry professionals.

On Monday 8th June 2020 an open letter was sent out by the BMC to the music industry community setting out our stance, that β€œfor far too long, the global Black community have faced racial injustice, inequality and disenfranchisement across all aspects of society and [that] here in the UK, [it was] no different”. In that letter we set out our calls to action and made it clear that, we wanted actualise to the shows of support we’d seen from #BlackOutTuesday and to drive forward tangible changes in the industry. We then set about formulating the long-term objectives of the organisation which we set out in our manifesto which released to the industry and all interested parties in September 2020.

Executive Committee Members

Sheryl(2)
Sheryl Nwosu is a practising lawyer (Barrister) and the first Chairperson of the Black Music Coalition. Readily understanding and supporting the aims of the Coalition from its inception, as well as providing steer in her chairing role, Sheryl is proactive as part of the Coalition’s executive committee in formulating and moving forward the BMC’s strategic and long-term objectives. She is a vocal advocate of racial & gender equality, equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of her professional life.

Sheryl Nwosu

Executive Member

Afryea(2)
Afryea Henry-Fontaine is a multi-talented executive with over 15 years’ experience within the music and entertainment industries. Her career has spanned a variety of aspects including management, brand consultancy, event management and marketing. With a vast network, Afryea has worked with some iconic brands including MOBO, BET, Global Grind and Russell Simmons’ RUSH Communications to name a few. Joining Universal Music 9 years ago, as a dedicated marketer, she has driven campaigns for acts such as Krept and Konan, MoStack, Lethal Bizzle, Lil Baby, Migos and Kanye West to name a few. Now as is Marketing Director at Motown UK/ EMI, she is focused on carving out the UK chapter of this iconic label. In line with her work with the BMC, Afryea also co-chairs the UMG Taskforce for Meaningful Change, dedicated to establishing driver for racial equity and social justice. Her passion for culture has established a continuous thread across her career for pushing the boundaries of success for Black talent across the board.

Afryea Henry-Fontaine

Executive Member

Komali(2)
Komali Scott-Jones is A&R Manager at Parlophone Records working with Hamzaa and Mnelia to name a few. She is also co-founder of The DEBRIEF. This is a quarterly event, which was created to empower, connect and celebrate Black Women and Women of Colour music executives, while they navigate an industry that largely overlooks their unique experiences. As a founding member of the Black Music Coalition, an organisation launched as a direct response to the death of George Floyd, which breathed new life into the Black Lives Matter movement. It is dedicated to eradicating the racial disparities and systemic barriers affecting Black employees / executives, including freelancers and independents across all sectors and at all levels of the UK music industry.

Komali Scott-Jones

Executive Member

Char(2)
Char Grant is A&R Director at 0207 Def Jam. Previously Senior A&R at BMG, Char was instrumental in the global success of 2019 record β€˜Boasty’ by Wiley. Whilst working closely as lead publishing A&R with Ray BLK, Giggs, Ghetts, P2J, TSB AOD, Kida Kudz and more. In addition to sitting on the executive committee of the Black Music Coalition, Char also runs The Debrief alongside Komali Scott-Jones and Afryea Henry Fontaine, which focuses on creating a safe space for women of colour who work in music.

Char Grant

Executive Member

Our Wider Committee Members

Alex Boateng β€’ Alec Boateng β€’ Alex Ives β€’ Alexandra Ampofo β€’ Anthony Orum β€’ Austin Daboh β€’ Benny Scarrs β€’ Bianca Wilson β€’ Callum Reece β€’ Charlie Ogbechie β€’ Colin Batsa β€’ Fay Hoyte β€’ Gilbert Johnson β€’ Glyn Aikins β€’ Jackie Eyewe β€’ Jade Richardson β€’ Jess Kangalee β€’ Joe Kentish β€’ Josh Toussaint β€’ Kevin Christian Blair β€’ Kwame Kwaten β€’ Lucy Francis β€’ Mel Rudder β€’ Michael Adex β€’ Mulika Sannie β€’ Preye Crooks β€’ Rich Castillo β€’ Riki Bleau β€’ Ryan Newman β€’ Sam Adebayo β€’ Sasha Dixon β€’ Seb Smith β€’ Shane Derozario β€’ Shaurav D'Silva β€’ Sheniece Charway β€’ Taponeswa Mavunga β€’ Tunde Ogundipe β€’ Whitney Asomani β€’ Whitney Boateng β€’ Zeon Richards β€’