On October 10th, the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective, in partnership with GRAMMY U, hosted the HBCU Love Tour at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center in Atlanta, GA. Led by the Recording Academy Board of Trustees, including Chair Tammy Hurt, Vice Chair and Black Music Collective Chair Rico Love, Ryan Butler, Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Chief Executive Officer Harvey Mason Jr. The HBCU Love Tour educates aspiring music industry professionals at historically black colleges and universities on career paths and opportunities within the industry. Through this initiative, the Academy aims to inspire students from all over the country to pursue a career in music, and bolster Black representation at GRAMMY U and within Academy membership. 

The event was moderated by Kat Graham and included special guests JID (@jidsv) and Baby Tate (@iambabytate). The program featured student performer; Nia Simone (@real_niasimone) who won the HBCU Love Student Showcase the day before against 9 other student competitors. In addition to performing on the big stage with rapper, singer, and songwriter Armani White, Simone also received a check for $1,000 to spend on whatever she may like. 

Atlanta was the final stop on the HBCU Love Tour this year. For more information on the Black Music Collective, visit here. For more information on GRAMMY U, visit here.