British Black Music Month kicks off with a launch incorporating networking, performances and quiz on Friday May 28, 7-9pm

SEMINAR

WHAT: Managing Song Rights & Income StreamsA seminar that highlights the rights and income streams available to songwriters. It also tackles the issue of whether songwriters need managers, and producers being credited as songwriters.

Panel: David Stopps (MMF), Kennedy ‘Prezedent’ Mensah (Back 2 Da Future), more tbc. Chair: Kwaku (BBM/BMC founder). In association with MMF and PRS.

WHEN: Wednesday June 8 2011, 6.30-9pm

WHERE: PRS, 29-33 Berners Street, London W1T 3AB (Goodge Street/Tottenham Court Road)

COST/BOOKING: Free but must pre-book: www.britishblackmusic.com editor@britishblackmusic.com

SEMINAR

WHAT: Niche Genres: Surviving As An Indie Record Company

Tap into guys whose industry experience include founding and running reggae-specialist Ariwa (1981), African/world music-specialist Stern’s (1983), R&B/soul-specialist (tbc), and dance music-specialist Funktastique (2000), to find out advice and strategies for surviving as an indie within a presently turbulent industry. Find out what Association Of Independent Music (AIM) can do for you, whether you’re an experienced or novice record label owner.

Panel: Neil ‘Mad Professor’ Fraser (Ariwa Sounds), Robert Urbanus (Stern’s Music), Faron McKenzie (RepMe), Michael Fuller (Association Of Independent Music). Chair: Kwaku (BBM/BMC). In association with AIM.

WHEN: Wednesday June 22 2011, 6.30-9pm

WHERE: PRS, 29-33 Berners Street, London W1T 3AB (Goodge Street/ Tottenham Court Road)

COST/BOOKING: Free but must pre-book: www.britishblackmusic.com editor@britishblackmusic.com

SEMINAR

WHAT: Talking Copyright: What’s All The Fuss?As the subject of copyright has gradually moved from the lofty confines of academic and legal circles into mainstream consciousness, this is an opportunity to hear different views. Should we care about copyright? Where are consumers’ rights? Is the world a better place having all rights reserved?

"Economic evidence is not, of course, the sole driver of IP policy. Legitimate questions of culture, fairness and 'just reward' for creators also arise..." Hargreaves Review Of IP, May 2011

Panel: Kienda Hoji (University Of Westminster Commercial Music BA programme director), Saskia Walzel (Consumer Focus policy advocate), Dr Catherine M Lee (IP Kat contributor), Dr Enrico Bonadio (City University London law lecturer), Emmanuel Legrand (World Copyright Summit conference coordinator), Prof Martin Kretschmer (Centre For Intellectual Property Policy & Management director), Chair: Kwaku (BBM/BMC founder). In association with University Of Westminster Commercial Music and CultureTalkClub.

WHEN: Friday June 24 2011, 6.30-9pm WHERE: The Old Cinema, University Of Westminster, 309 Regent Street, London W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus) COST/BOOKING: Free but must pre-book: www.britishblackmusic.com editor@britishblackmusic.com

COURSE

WHAT: Music Biz Empowerment Monday Half-Day Courses

Accessible, affordable, short courses to empower and drive your music industry plans. Small classes, where you can get answers to your questions, improve your knowledge base and confidence. Led by seasoned music industry tutor Kwaku. In association with BTWSC and Akoben Awards.

WHEN: Monday June 20 2011

10.30-1.30pm: Music Publishing. Guest speaker Kennedy ‘Prezedent’ Mensah (Back2DaFuture Music) 2.30-5.30pm: Record Label Management. Guest speaker Michael Fuller (Association Of Independent Music)

Monday June 27 2011 10.30-1.30pm: Understanding Copyright & Contracts 2.30-5.30pm: Music Marketing

WHERE: CHC, 60 Ashford Road, Cricklewood Broadway, London NW2 6TU (Cricklewood, Willesden Green, Kilburn; buses 16, 32, 226, 245, 260, 266, 316, 332, 460) COST/BOOKING: £25 (for 1 course), £45 (for 2), £65 (for 3), £80 (for 4), £100 (5 courses including Making Sense Of How The Music Industry Works & Preparing A Music Business Plan Workshop on Saturday July 2 2011, 1-6pm at Mission Dine Centre, Fry Road, Harlesden, London NW10 4BZ. Book before Friday June 17 2011, and pay no processing charges! www.britishblackmusic.com editor@britishblackmusic.com

COURSE

WHAT: Making Sense Of How The Music Industry Works & Preparing A Music Business Plan Workshop

Begins by explaining how the music industry works, in order to join the dots by understanding the various careers within the music industry, the functions of the key industry organisations, income streams, and rights. Led by music industry tutor Kwaku.

This is followed by a music business plan workshop led by music business adviser Boomy Tokan (The Music Business Coach). Participants are encouraged to bring their business ideas, and laptops, in order to start the process of writing their business plan or proposal during the workshop. In association with BTWSC and Akoben Awards.

For any budding entrepreneur, and those applying for the New Music Entrepreneur Grant’s 11:11:11:11:11:11 Challenge.

WHEN: Saturday July 2 2011, 1-6pm

WHERE: Mission Dine Club Centre, Fry Road, Harlesden, London NW10 4BZ (by John Buck House & back of Newfield Primary School. Willesden Junction or Dollis Hill. Buses 18, 206, 226, 260, 266, 487)

COST/BOOKING: £25 (See deal with Music Biz Empowerment Monday Half-Day Courses on Monday June 20 & 27). Book before Friday June 17 2011, and pay no processing charges! www.britishblackmusic.com editor@britishblackmusic.com

WHAT: New Music Entrepreneur Grant's 11:11:11:11:11:11 Challenge.Akoben Awards is offering an NME grant of £1,111.11 plus free music industry mentoring, to a new music industry entrepreneur aged 18-25 of African descent. Selection is based on submission of a short plan/proposal of on how you’d find, sign, market and release a record or launch a music industry product or service with a maximum budget of £1.111.11.

That's the 11:11:11:11:11:11 Challenge - you must be ready to launch on Friday November 11 2011 at 11:11:11. It’s a grant, which means you do not have pay back if the project does not make a profit, but if it makes a profit, a minority share goes to Akoben Awards. In association with The Music Business Coach.

For more info, application form: www.britishblackmusic.com editor@britishblackmusic.com. Closing date is July 30 2011.

NME applicants may wish to attend the Making Sense Of How The Music Industry Works & Preparing A Music Business Plan Workshop on Saturday July 2 2011, 1-6pm. It’s run by seasoned music industry tutors Kwaku and Boomy Tokan, and you’re helped to start drafting your plan/proposal during the workshop. Mission Dine Centre, Fry Road, Harlesden, London NW10 4BZ. Cost: £25 (See deal with Music Biz Empowerment Monday Half-Day Courses on Monday June 20 & 27). Book before Friday June 17 2011, and pay no processing charges! www.britishblackmusic.com editor@britishblackmusic.com

WHAT: Where Is Africa In Words, Music & Politics? A free and open discussion on where Africa and Africans are within British society, arts, media and politics. It will be recorded for later transmission on Voice Of Africa Radio 94 FM.

Panel: Space Clottey (Voice Of Africa Radio station manager), Biyi Adepegba (Joyful Noise promoter), Baffour Ankomah (New African editor tbc), Toyin Agbetu (Ligali.org founder), Ms Serwah (BTWSC co-ordinator/NewAfricanPerspective.blogspot blogger), Yemisi Mokuolu (Hatch Events promoter), Niles 'Asheber' Hailstones (Afrikan Revolution Collective band leader), Chair: Kwaku (BBM/BMC founder). In association with Voice Of Africa Radio 94 FM.

WHEN: Friday July 8 2011, 6.30-9pm

WHERE: Voice Of Africa Radio 94 FM, 24 Swete Street. Plaistow, London E13 0BS (Plaistow. Buses 262 and 473 from Stratford).

COST/BOOKING: Free but must pre-book: www.britishblackmusic.com editor@britishblackmusic.com

WHAT: Celebrating British Black Music Month On Voice Of Africa Radio 94 FM

Britain's only legal African interest radio station Voice Of Africa Radio (VOAR) is supporting BBMM2011 by giving BBM/BMC founder Kwaku a weekly spot to broadcast BBMM related sessions in June/Aug 2011. Catch it live if you can on 94 FM or on VoiceOfAfricaRadio.com. In association with VOAR 94 FM.

You can feedback to the live shows (except June 20/27 morning) on studio@voiceofafricaradio.com, Skype VoiceOfAfricaRadio or on 020 8471 9111, 07939 509 086.

To volunteer as a BBMM radio production assistant: editor@britishblackmusic.com.


British Black Music Month (BBMM) is a BritishBlackMusic.com/Black Music Congress (BBM/BMC) initiative started in 2006. It takes place throughout June into mid-July. BBMM offers an opportunity to celebrate domestic black music, discuss issues, better understand the music industry, and network. It's not aimed exclusively at Africans nor at just those in the music industry. BBMM2011 sub-themes are activism and Africa. BBM/BMC works with partners to deliver: For more information: Kwaku BritishBlackMusic.com/Black Music Congress founder editor@britishblackmusic.com 020 8450 5987