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Mother's Day isn't celebrated every year, but year-round for Britney Bullock and Moms in Music.
Founded by Bullock in 2023, the community-building organization empowers, supports, and advocates for “women in music who are mothers, are in the role of motherhood, or are on the journey to becoming mothers.” I'm dedicated to doing that. Its mission statement goes on to say, “We are a community of female music creators and music professionals who are realizing the true potential of women in an industry where motherhood has traditionally been taboo and where women are often marginalized. We have come together to connect and empower each other to achieve our goals.” ”
It was while working as head of operations for record label 10K Projects that Block began envisioning the need for an organization like Moms In Music. “The reason for that came from my personal experience as a woman in business and as a woman of color,” Block recalls. Her career in the industry also includes working as Usher's day-to-day manager and her A&R executive at Def Jam.
“When I got pregnant in 2019, I was looking for other women who had been on the path I was about to take. I wanted to be able to ask questions and find resources. But… I couldn't find anything or anyone that felt like a safe space to talk to. I started talking to other women in the industry who shared the same feelings that I needed to be able to build my own table. did.”
Moms in Music, which welcomes new members every quarter, has just announced its second quarter class and now has just under 200 members. The organization, which encompasses all genres and aspects of the industry as well as artists and executives, includes former Capitol Music Group Chairman and CEO Michel Jubeliller, Grammy Award-winning artist Melanie Fiona, Grammy-nominated songstress Prominent members include writer Makeba Riddick and background vocalist Rachel. Beauregard (Maren Morris, Hozier) and trumpeter Crystal Torres performed on Beyoncé's Renaissance tour with a very noticeable baby bump.
Alongside its launch last year, the organization hosted its first “Moms In Music” brunch. The event, sponsored by the Recording Academy and Songwriters of North America (SONA), features Grammy Award-winning artist Faith Evans, creative director and choreographer Jamaica Craft (Ciara, Usher), and Grammy Award-winning artist Faith Evans. He praised award-nominated singer-songwriter Dionne Faris. Plans are underway to host our second annual brunch again in September.
By day, Block is CEO of King Creative Group, which he founded after leaving 10K Projects. The Atlanta-based company provides human resources management and operations consulting. Clients in the management department include quality control music.
But Bullock's day job never comes at the expense of the passion and determination that sparked her vision for Moms in Music. “Another of our goals is to be a source of inspiration for the generations that come after us,” she declares. “That’s something I wish I had.”
What positive changes have you witnessed for women in music over the past few years amid calls for more diversity, equity, and inclusion?
Transparency is only slowly starting to materialize in terms of how businesses are run. That's because artists are getting smarter about business. We want to maintain a level of independence. But it also requires education on how to do it and how to do it successfully. I'm inspired when I hear about artists choosing to go the independent route, or to understand each other's value and be creative when structuring deals. Especially when it comes to mothers, we have seen a change in the last 5-10 years with artists becoming more proud of being mothers. That family comes first. Artists like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Ciara have achieved career success by breaking down the misconception that women have to sacrifice or give up. The more we can have a space like Moms In Music and other organizations like FAM. [Family Alliance in Music] We are affiliated. The overall goal is to participate in the destruction that is already happening. You cannot be what you cannot see.
Speaking of which, what about women business owners and the challenges they still face?
The more confidence executives have in women and mothers, the more they can advocate for themselves. The industry as a whole has a lot of work to do in terms of developing better leaders who delegate. Someone who manages their team in a way that supports them. Look at organizations with great leaders.For example, Jacqueline Saturn [Virgin Music Group president, North America/exec. vp of global artist relations]. I worked with Jacqueline during my 10K. Literally, all of Jacqueline's staff don't want to go anywhere. Because she coaches from a place of support. She created a safe space for her team where they felt comfortable coming to her own leadership and saying, “This is what I need.” And they support it. The more you can develop good leaders at the top, the more you have no choice but to spread that to other parts of your organization.
What kind of support does Moms In Music offer?
We focus on the personal and professional. All of our supports and programs are built around four core pillars: Physical Health, Financial Health, Professional Development, and Mental/Spiritual Health. For example, a few days ago we hosted a financial wellness expert from an organization called Moms with Benefits. And experts gave full presentations on topics such as how long you can apply for an extension of maternity leave, what you can do about taxes and other issues that most people didn't know about. We also recently announced a panel centered around a series we're launching called “More Than a Mom,” about how to reclaim your identity as a mother.
As a member, you'll have access to a members-only portal, your own mini-Facebook with information you want to share with other members, and the ability to network with other members. In addition to events, we also have a forum that lists summaries, videos, various resources, and feedback from members. Her virtual events, held at least once a month, are usually open to anyone who wants to attend. However, summaries and video replays are for members only.next monday [May 13], We're hosting a mixer in Nashville during Music Biz 2024 as we aim to further increase brand awareness. This is open to anyone who wants to learn more about Moms In Music. We introduced three of her programs earlier this week in preparation for Mother's Day. We are offering free gifts to members every week this month.
How has founding Moms In Music shaped your own journey as a business owner and mother?
To be honest, I didn't want children. I was career-focused and trying to climb the corporate ladder. Literally that was all I could think about. Then everything changed. Now I am so glad that God knew more than I did what I needed. Because it changed my whole outlook on life. It gave me purpose in a way I didn't know I needed. It also helped me tap into my strengths, my superpowers. Since becoming a mother, I've become a much better manager because I understand how to delegate.Understands how to prioritize within limited time [school] drop down. I'm laser focused, so I get a lot done. And becoming a mother made me realize how much time I had wasted. We’re just kind of chasing our tails, aren’t we? It helped me understand purpose in a way I didn't before. Motherhood is definitely the hardest job I've ever had. From the moment I open my eyes at 5:15 a.m., I don't stop moving until 9:30 p.m. But it's also the most wonderful and fulfilling job.
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