Black Music Month: How one organization is using $100,000 to help Black Austin musicians, promoters, studios

AUSTIN (KXAN) — In what's been deemed the Live Music Capital of the World, those whose contributions have perhaps laid the foundation have one message: "There is no Austin without US."

That's the tagline for the month-long celebration put on by an organization called the Diversity Awareness and Wellness in Action (DAWA).

Where much of Austin's musical soul is tied to, DAWA will showcase some of the city's Black musicians at Antone's Nightclub downtown, from June 8 through the 30 for Black Music Month.

'Austin's best and brightest'

During the month-long celebration, you can expect performances from jazz/funk band Sketch.Band, Latasha Lee, Past Lives, Riders Against the Storm and Topaz Jones.

"From blues to rock, soul, hip hop, house, and country, the sonic imprint of Black musicians is indelible," DAWA Founder and Director Jonathan 'Chaka' Mahone said. "We have been here, producing abundantly, but our incredible fruits have not necessarily benefited us directly due to the industry practices in music cities like Austin around the country."

Black Live Music Fund

The Black Live Music Fund was created in 2020, with the goal of recognizing and attempting to rectify years of racism, and a lack of granted opportunities for Black musicians in Austin, according to Mahone.

Now, the fund has $100,000 worth of 'Thrive' grant money from the City Austin's Cultural Foundation. It will, for the next two years, support Black musicians in small and big ways.

"There needs to be a shift in who benefits most from the work that is created, and the Black Live Music Fund wants to create space for new standards that center the artist/creator," Mahone said.

According to Mahone, the money will provide funds to help black musicians, promoters and studios sustain their careers, and continue to grow.

Austin's Cultural Foundation

The City of Austin has vowed to invest in organizations that are deeply tied to diverse cultures throughout the area.

In fact, over the past few years, through cultural funding, the city has awarded millions of dollars to what it calls Austin's creative community. The Thrive, Elevate and Nexus grants, the Economic Development Department has worked to obtain equity through its funding bank.

This story will be updated by Multicultural Reporter Jala Washington.