Femme It Forward Launches ‘MUSE’ Mentorship Program to Empower Female Artists in Music Industry

Femme It Forward Launches 'MUSE' Mentorship Program to Empower Female Artists in Music Industry

Femme It Forward (FIF), the pioneering music and entertainment company dedicated to championing female visionaries, is expanding its mentorship initiatives with the introduction of “MUSE” (Musicians Uplifting Stars Everyday), a groundbreaking Mentorship Program tailored to guide emerging female artists and creatives in the music industry. Spearheaded by FIF’s Founder and President, Live Nation Partner Heather Lowery, MUSE aims to cultivate talent and foster diversity within the music landscape.

Recent research from USC Annenberg’s “Inclusion Initiative” underscores the urgency of programs like MUSE, revealing stark gender disparities in music production and songwriting credits. While progress has been made in increasing female representation as solo or featured artists, the lack of women in key production roles remains concerning. MUSE seeks to address these disparities by providing mentorship, resources, and opportunities for aspiring female artists to thrive.

“I have made it my mission to pave the way for future generations of women to be equipped with the tools they need to sit at any table,” says FIF’s President and Founder, Heather Lowery. “MUSE has lived in my heart for the last 3 years, and I am honored to release it into reality as a high-powered program to combat the inequities, disparities, and disturbing statistics around the historic underrepresentation of women in the music industry, especially women of color.”  

Alicia Keys, Erykah Badu, and Teyana Taylor headline MUSE’s advisory panel, offering invaluable insights and guidance to program participants. Additionally, esteemed industry professionals such as Nova Wav, Nija, Jozzy, and Ann Mincieli will serve as hands-on mentors, providing personalized support to mentees.

Rapper Rapsody, Trina, and Amber Riley are among the talented artists paired with mentees, fostering meaningful connections and nurturing talent within the industry. Furthermore, music created through FIF’s MUSE Labs will be featured in the company’s upcoming music compilation album, amplifying the voices of emerging female artists.

In a statement, Erykah Badu expressed her commitment to MUSE, emphasizing the importance of empowering the next generation of female creatives. With its multifaceted approach and commitment to diversity, MUSE represents a significant step towards building a more inclusive and equitable music industry.

As MUSE takes flight, it promises to inspire, uplift, and empower female artists, paving the way for a new era of creativity and innovation in music.

The post Femme It Forward Launches ‘MUSE’ Mentorship Program to Empower Female Artists in Music Industry first appeared on The Source.

The post Femme It Forward Launches ‘MUSE’ Mentorship Program to Empower Female Artists in Music Industry appeared first on The Source.

Femme It Forward Hosts Inaugural Grammy Weekend High Tea Party Celebrating Coco Jones, Summer Walker, and Halle Bailey

2Q6A6941

Live Nation Partner Heather Lowery orchestrated the inaugural Femme It Forward Grammy Weekend High Tea Party in West Hollywood. The event brought together award-winning artists and female executives in music to honor Grammy Nominees Coco Jones, Summer Walker, and Halle Bailey.

As performers and cultural leaders, these women were celebrated for their contributions to the culture of Black women in music and entertainment. My Black is Beautiful, the brand partner, played a pivotal role in bringing this exclusive event to life, reflecting Femme It Forward’s commitment to recognizing and providing visibility for women.

“Success never comes easy, and for most of us in the room—certainly myself—we have to work at least twice as hard as everyone else,” Lowery said in her toast. “A part of me always feels like I am at square one, no matter how long I have been doing this. I am expressing this because I am not alone and know that many people in this room know exactly what I am talking about.”

The star-studded gathering featured entertainment by acclaimed DJs Amapiano DJ, Uncle Waffles, and DJ Rosegold, with a show-stopping performance by UCLA’s Gluck String Quartet dedicated to the honorees. Synchronized swimmers from The Black Swans added a unique visual element, choreographing routines to the tunes of Halle Bailey’s “Angel,” Coco Jones’ “ICU,” and Summer Walker’s “To Summer From Cole.”

Celebrity attendees included AMBRE, Rapsody, Baby Tate, Tierra Whack, Kyla Pratt, Maeta, Lady London, and more. The event offered a multi-sensory culinary and cocktail experience, featuring an upscale tea bar and immersive activations. An art experience curated by Mashonda Tifrere’s ArtLeadHer, in collaboration with Auttrianna Projects and UNREPD, showcased the work of Maya Seas, Megan Lewis, Chantel Walkes, Leah King, and Cortney Herron, empowered by Live Nation Women. Guests also enjoyed luxurious cocktails featuring CÎROC Limonata, a new refreshing flavor from CÎROC’s expanding library of tastes. The Femme It Forward event exemplified the collective celebration and empowerment of women in the music industry.

“Heather Lowery’s Femme It Forward High Tea Grammy Party” Photos courtesy of Robin Marshall

The post Femme It Forward Hosts Inaugural Grammy Weekend High Tea Party Celebrating Coco Jones, Summer Walker, and Halle Bailey first appeared on The Source.

The post Femme It Forward Hosts Inaugural Grammy Weekend High Tea Party Celebrating Coco Jones, Summer Walker, and Halle Bailey appeared first on The Source.

Femme It Forward to Honor SZA, Teyana Taylor, Brandy and More at 2nd Annual Give Her FlowHERS Awards Gala

Femme It Forward to Honor SZA, Teyana Taylor, Brandy and More

Femme It Forward, the pioneering multi-format music and entertainment company dedicated to celebrating, mentoring, and empowering female visionaries, is thrilled to unveil its 2nd Annual Give Her FlowHERS Awards Gala. The event is set to take place on Friday, November 10th, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, bringing together an array of notable artists, visionaries, executives, and tastemakers.

The gala will recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of women who have left an indelible mark in music and entertainment, with awards honoring their contributions. This year’s impressive lineup of awardees includes:

  • SZA: The Big Femme Energy Award
  • Teyana Taylor: The Visionary Award
  • Brandy: The Muse Award
  • Flo Milli: The Bloom Award
  • Jordyn Woods and Jodie Woods: The My Sister’s Keeper Award
  • Nova Wav: The Pen It Forward Award
  • Monaleo: The Self-Love Award

The evening will also feature captivating musical performances by talented R&B artists and singer-songwriters, and recognition will be given to mentors involved in the organization’s mentorship program, Next Gem Femme.

The event is presented by Live Nation and generously supported by Spotify and Google Pixel, reflecting the industry’s collective support for empowering and recognizing women in entertainment. Additional details about the gala will be announced by Femme It Forward in the coming weeks.

For further information and updates on the event, visit GiveHerFlowHERS.com, and join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #FemmeItForward.

The post Femme It Forward to Honor SZA, Teyana Taylor, Brandy and More at 2nd Annual Give Her FlowHERS Awards Gala first appeared on The Source.

The post Femme It Forward to Honor SZA, Teyana Taylor, Brandy and More at 2nd Annual Give Her FlowHERS Awards Gala appeared first on The Source.

Teyana Taylor to Make One-Night-Only Return to Stage for ‘Big Femme Energy Live’

image001 10

Teyana Taylor, an artist, actress, and dancer, will perform live as a special guest during the forthcoming “Big Femme Energy Live” performance on March 24 for one night only, according to Amazon Music and Femme It Forward. Fans may watch live performances by Teyana Taylor, Ambré, Baby Rose, SAYGRACE, and Mapy, who will be accompanied by an all-women symphony orchestra. The one-of-a-kind concert, which will be live-streamed from Los Angeles’ Belasco Theater exclusively on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch starting at 7 p.m. PST, is the final stop on the “Big Femme Energy Live” tour.

“Sometimes we gotta take the time to smell our Roses even after the Last Petal falls. I can’t imagine a better way to close out Women’s History month than by celebrating with a group of phenomenal female artists and musicians to showcase our gifts together in this event to honor women around the world,” said Teyana Taylor.

“With March being the time of year when people celebrate women’s contributions to society, we decided that now would be a great time to release The Making of Big Femme Energy. While creating the album, it became evident that we, as women, make up the fabric of the entertainment industry. However, when it comes down to owning and distributing works of art, we oftentimes face barriers that our male counterparts do not,” said Heather Lowery, president and CEO of Femme It Forward. “Viewers will get a firsthand look into the blood, sweat, and many tears that went into making something seemingly as simple as an all-women compilation album. Our hope is that after viewing the film and tuning into the Big Femme Energy Live experience on March 24 with Amazon Music, we’ll move beyond just celebrating women once a year and truly start to recognize the benefits that we provide to the industry through our dedication, hard work, and creativity on a daily basis.” 

The Making of Big Femme Energy, a 15-minute documentary launching on Amazon Music on March 29 and includes artist interviews and behind-the-scenes footage describing how the Big Femme Energy compilation album and tour came together, will take fans even deeper.

Heather Lowery, President and CEO of Femme It Forward, will also host a special Women’s History Month edition of Amazon Music’s “Group Thread” on March 28. She’ll be joined by special guests as they discuss the concert, the evolution of Big Femme Energy Vol. 1, and even tease an upcoming look at Vol. 2. Group Thread will premiere exclusively on the Amazon Music Twitch Channel on March 28 at 6 p.m. PST.

The post Teyana Taylor to Make One-Night-Only Return to Stage for ‘Big Femme Energy Live’ appeared first on The Source.