A Fem-Forward Future for the Music Industry

Access to tech and creative industry employment

South LA Central LA

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Girls, young women, and gender-expansive youth of color are deeply underrepresented in careers where art and STEM intersect, particularly in the music industry. In 2022, men outnumbered women 19:1 in influential technical roles like engineering and production, with zero women or nonbinary people credited in certain key tech roles on the top 50 rap, dance, or metal tracks (Fix the Mix, 2023). Creatively, only 19% of songwriters are women, with figures even lower for women of color (Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, 2024). Meanwhile, just 3% of Black women and 5% of Latinas earn STEM degrees. FtF urgently wants to shift these numbers. Stacy Smith of USC Annenberg states, “Until the people in the executive ranks and A&R roles take seriously the lack of women in the industry, we will continue to see little change.” Without role models and meaningful career access, young womxnof  color in LA County will miss the opportunity to shape the future of music in the rapidly evolving 21st century.

FTF’s Growth Through Music and STEM program will build comprehensive field learning and career training opportunities for 20 young womxn of color at the threshold of the music industry. We believe our hands-on mentorship model is the best way to approach the problem of underrepresentation because it bridges the stubborn gap between arts education and career access. With holistic support over the course of an academic year, we aim to give participants a clear path to jumpstart their futures. Our program also leverages prominent fem-forward women in music to foster professional connections.
Program activities:
Custom curriculum design – FTF will partner with university professors to co-create curricula that directly complement and enhance each student’s coursework.
Off-site shadowing – Four off-site learning experiences for students to shadow engineers, producers, and industry professionals at partner organizations, including Wondaland, Warner Music, The Recording Academy, and more.
Education and reflection – Students will engage in seminars, journaling, and video/audio reflections facilitated by Made In Her Image (MIHI), an LA-based nonprofit for girls of color in film. Students will produce final creative presentations.
Scholarships – FTF will offer a total of $30,000 in scholarships to 6 of the students who participate in the program to cover production costs for their own work. 5 students will experience a separately funded trip to London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios.

If our Growth Through Music and STEM program is successful over the grant period, at least 20 young women and gender-expansive people of color in LA County will gain enhanced skills in music production, a deeper understanding of music career pathways, improved confidence, increased access to music opportunities, and stronger industry connections. Over the next 3 years, our goal is to drive systemic change through enhanced partnerships with like-minded organizations like Girls Make Beats and Made in Her Image, for a 30% increase in participants pursuing music and arts careers. Within 5 years, we plan to expand our reach by 50%, incorporating a wider array of music disciplines. Long-term success means transforming LA County into a place where young women, girls, and gender-expansive creatives of color can thrive at the intersection of STEM and music, dismantling systemic barriers and building a more diverse, inclusive industry.