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Universal announces social justice taskforce, donates $25 million to racial equality organisations

The major label will launch The Taskforce for Meaningful Change

Universal have announced a social justice taskforce, and donated $25 million to racial equality organisations.

Announced by Universal Music Group (UMG) chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge, The Taskforce for Meaningful Change, will be co-chaired by UMG executive vp, general counsel and Def Jam interim chairman and CE,O Jeff Harleston, and Motown Records president and Capitol Music Group executive vp Ethiopia Habtemariam.

There will also be 30 Universal Music Group employees serving as members of the taskforce, and UMG have launched the campaign with a a $25 million “Change Fund” that will be invested across six areas of focus, including aid/charitable giving, global, internal/institutional change, legislative/public policy, partners and programming/curation.

Speaking about the grant in a memo shared via Billboard, Grainge said: “Task Force for Meaningful Change (TFMC) was created as a driving force for the ongoing fight for equality, justice and inclusion,"

"We are charged with reviewing the company’s commitment to addressing and promoting tolerance, equality, and elimination of bias, within UMG, the music community and the world at large. It is our mission to identify the gaps and deficiencies and to strengthen UMG’s plan with new initiatives.”

You can read more about the taskforce and fund here.

The music industry and fans are among the hundreds to have donated to organisations and funds in aid of protesters in Minneapolis and black community initiatives following the killing of George Floyd.

Below, you will find some links to organisations/fundraisers you can donate to:

The George Floyd Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

Black Visions Collective (BLVC): https://www.blackvisionsmn.org/

#JusticeforFloyd: https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justiceforfloyd_george_floyd_minneapolis

The Minnesota Freedom Fund: https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/donate

Black Lives Matter: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Reclaim the Block: https://secure.everyaction.com/zae4prEeKESHBy0MKXTIcQ2