Pierce Freelon
After the Recording Academy produced an all-white ballot of nominees for the children’s music album category last year, Pierce Freelon and fellow Black and brown members of Family Music Forward rallied against the decision. Yet, their voices went unheard until three of their white peers asked to have their names withdrawn from the category. “It probably would have been invisible to most people had the white men not rescinded their nominations,” Freelon asserts.
Freelon strives to expand the complexion of children’s and family music. “[It] is a space that is in radical need for a transformation and healing,” he says.
Pierce Freelon
After the Recording Academy produced an all-white ballot of nominees for the children’s music album category last year, Pierce Freelon and fellow Black and brown members of Family Music Forward rallied against the decision. Yet, their voices went unheard until three of their white peers asked to have their names withdrawn from the category. “It probably would have been invisible to most people had the white men not rescinded their nominations,” Freelon asserts.
Freelon strives to expand the complexion of children’s and family music. “[It] is a space that is in radical need for a transformation and healing,” he says.