Meet Keychange U.S.

Keychange U.S. is an award-winning charitable nonprofit organization that is at the forefront of promoting gender equity and inclusion within the music industry. Originally founded in Europe in 2017 by Vanessa Reed and the PRS Foundation (UK), Reeperbahn Festival (Germany), and Musikcentrum Öst (Sweden), the movement has grown into a global force. On June 14th, 2022, Keychange U.S. was launched with the support of Founding Sponsors, TuneCore, and Believe. Since then, the organization has been dedicated to building on the global success of Keychange to foster a stronger, safer, and more inclusive U.S. music industry through initiatives like the Keychange U.S. Talent Development Program and the Global Keychange Pledge.

At the core of Keychange U.S. is the Global Keychange Pledge, an invitation extended to music organizations, companies, and entities within the industry to publicly commit to achieving broader, more equitable, inclusive, and intersectional representation. The Pledge has garnered over 650 signatories from more than 40 countries worldwide, underscoring the movement's expansive reach and influence.

The Keychange U.S. Talent Development Program is another key initiative, designed as a six-month career development program for women and gender-expansive artists across all genres, as well as music professionals from various sectors. The program offers participants opportunities for team meet-ups, networking, professional development sessions with industry leaders, one-on-one mentorship, and showcases at partner festivals and conferences. In 2024, Keychange U.S. selected 25 cohort members from major music hubs like Los Angeles, New York City, Nashville, Austin, and Atlanta. The program was launched with a series of events during A2IM's Indie Week in June 2024, in collaboration with TuneCore, Dolby, and Red Bull Records.

Since launching, Keychange U.S. has reached some exciting milestones that we're eager to share. In May 2024, we were honored to receive the Agent of Change Award at the Music Business Association's Bizzy Awards. This recognition really highlights the positive impact we're making within the industry.

Our 2024 Talent Development Program has been a standout success, bringing together 25 remarkable women and gender-expansive artists from cities like LA, NYC, Nashville, Austin, and Atlanta. This diverse and dynamic group is a testament to the vibrant talent emerging across the country.

We also made a significant splash with "The Music Industry Lives Here," an activation we hosted in partnership with Downtown at Music Biz. This event attracted over 3,000 visitors, showcasing the growing support and enthusiasm for our mission.

Our presence at A2IM Indie Week in NYC was another highlight. We kicked off our 2024 Talent Development Program with events at the TuneCore and Dolby offices on June 10th and 11th, which were bustling with industry professionals. These events featured exciting collaborations with Red Bull Records and Beatport.

Globally, the Keychange Pledge has seen tremendous support, with over 650 organizations worldwide signing on. This growing network is crucial in driving forward gender equity in the music industry.

We've also forged strategic partnerships with key industry players such as The Orchard, Vevo, and Live Nation Women. These collaborations have allowed us to offer exclusive virtual professional development sessions to our 2024 cohort, further enhancing their growth and opportunities.

We’re thrilled about these achievements and look forward to continuing our journey towards a more inclusive and equitable music industry. If you're interested in partnering on an event, booking talent from the Keychange cohort for your conference or festival, or becoming a Pledge Signatory, please reach out to maria@keychangeus.com for more information.

Keychange U.S. is not just a movement; it is a catalyst for change in the music industry. By advocating for gender equity and inclusion, Keychange U.S. is helping to shape a more diverse and inclusive future for the industry, one where all voices are heard and celebrated.