The Black Music Action Coalition, in partnership with Grammy winner Victoria Monét, has named burgeoning artists MOYANA and Nia Ashleigh this year’s BMAC x Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant recipients.

Modeled after the annual BMAC x Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Music Maker Grant, the award will see MOYANA and Ashleigh receive one year of financial support, mentorship by Monét and her team and the chance to participate in BMAC mentorship programming and opportunities

“For those who thought social justice was a passing trend, BMAC stands as a force of steadfast commitment and ongoing determination to use the power of our voice, the power of our coalition and the power of our industry to create access, equity and opportunity in the music industry,” said BMAC President/CEO Willie “Prophet” Stiggers. “We are proud to partner with Victoria Monét, who is using her platform to create opportunities for the next generation of music makers.”

MOYANA has been making music independently for seven years as a member of the Royal Family Music Group and the Recording Academy’s GrammyU Chicago Chapter. In 2023, she received the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award from CITIBank. She currently works as an agency associate with Big Fish Booking Company, where she books international tours for jazz artists, and holds a yearlong teaching residency with the Chicago Public Schools. Singer-songwriter Ashleigh’s journey began on Broadway when she starred in Disney’s The Lion King at just nine years old. Since then, she's gone on to perform and work with Clive Davis, Doja Cat, Savion Glover and Andra Day.

The BMAC x Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant is the newest addition to BMAC’s Music Maker Grants, mentorship programs and Music Business Accelerator programs, which include the BMAC x Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Guaranteed Income Program and BMAC x ACM Guaranteed Income Program. BMAC recently partnered with Live Nation to host BMAC Live, an all-expenses-paid music-business intensive course and paid-internship program.

We need a nap from just typing all that. For more information on BMAC's initiatives, head here.