ADVANCING BLACK WOMEN IN MUSIC

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The SCALE Fellowship was designed in 2019 by musician and entrepreneur Leigh Solomon Pugliano 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 accepts 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 supports Black women in music in designing business strategies along with space to create, produce, and present their work. The program provides 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 and throughout the U.S. 

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About the Program

The SCALE Fellowship:

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

• provides financial support to Black women in music

• provides a platform to showcase Black women in music

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

• supports 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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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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Eritza Laues; Grammy Award Winning  Songwriter

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Cannon Mapp: Producer, Songwriter, Vocal Producer

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Tami LaTrell: Business Consultant & Advocate, Multiplatinum Songwriter​

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Jason McKoy; Artist, Entrepreneur, Founder @ McKoy Creative 

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J. Daniel Barlow: Fashion Creative, Stylist, Set Design

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The SCALE Fellowship is a program of Limelight Creative in collaboration with the Equity | Impact Center.​​​​​

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