PROMOTING THE ADVANCEMENT OF BLACK WOMEN IN MUSIC

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The SCALE Fellowship was designed in 2019 to provide individualized artist development, entrepreneurial skill-building curriculum, and intentional opportunities for Black women in music to connect, share, learn, grow, and collaborate. Each cohort will accept up to 8 participants for the 8-month residency program and provide Fellows with a financial award for acceptance into the program along with additional funds for: equipment, technology, business development, recording, branding, and legal support. SCALE will support Black women in music in designing business strategies along with space to create, produce, and present their work. The program will provide resources (knowledge, network, financial) as well as the support needed to develop a sustainable career and overcome the challenges that exist for Black artists in Pittsburgh. 

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About the Program

The SCALE Fellowship intends to:

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• create an affirmative space for Black women in music to connect

• provide financial support to Black women in music

• provide a platform to showcase Black women in music

• provide entrepreneurial skill-building tools and resources to Black women in music

• support the development of an equity-centered, inclusive, and elevating music ecosystem for emerging artists

 

The SCALE Fellowship invests over $12,000+ into each artist accepted into the program: 

$3,000 award to SCALE Fellows

$9,000+ of professional consulting, artist development, and mentoring & in business development & growth strategy (branding, legal, financial mgmt, marketing etc.)

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Program Dates 

SCALE Fellowship Kick-off Event Thursday, February 17, 2022 

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Workshop & Meeting Dates 

Saturday, February 19, 2022 

Thursday, March 17, 2022 

Saturday, March 19, 2022  

Thursday, April 21, 2022 

Saturday, April 23, 2022

Thursday, May 19, 2022 

Saturday, May 21, 2022 

Thursday, June 16, 2022 

Saturday June, 18 2022 

Thursday, July 21, 2022 

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Saturday, August 20, 2022

 

This program stems from a collaboration of multiple partners intending to develop a comprehensive program that provides both immediate and ongoing support to the artists along with opportunities for growth and advancement. Our collective understands the importance and necessity of cross-sector, multilayered collaboration from individuals with both expertise and lived experience, including:

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• working artists & musicians that have a national and global platform

• those with proven experience in designing and implementing programs that support artist entrepreneurs 

• creative industry professional service providers 

• producers & engineers

• songwriters and artist development managers

• technology expertise for virtual platforms

 

 

Program Experts, Panelists, Coaches, and Facilitators Include:

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Leigh Solomon Pugliano; Musician, Educator, Entrepreneur - SCALE creator and program director

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David Pugliano; Entrepreneur, DJ, Producer

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Jacquelin Walker; Entrepreneur, Attorney for the Creative Industry

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Eritza Laues; Grammy Award Winning  Songwriter

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Brittany Blackwell; Black Women in Music Research Firm

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Tanisha Jackson; Attorney, Writer, Music Historian

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Jason McKoy; Artist, Entrepreneur, Founder @ McKoy Creative 

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Ayesha Scott; Singer, Songwriter, Event Producer, Bacardi USA

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The SCALE Fellowship is a program of the Equity | Impact Center in collaboration with Limelight Creative and support from the Hillman Foundation.

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Application

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Applications for the second SCALE Fellowship Cohort will open December 17, 2021. Applications will close on January 8, 2022. 

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