Michelle Obama's former chief of staff to run Grammys diversity task force

The Recording Academy has appointed Tina Tchen, who served as chief of staff to former first lady Michelle Obama, to establish an independent task force to address diversity in the music industry, Billboard reports.

Comprising up to 20 members, the group will focus on identifying “the various barriers and unconscious biases faced by underrepresented communities throughout the music industry and, specifically, across Recording Academy operations and policies”, the academy said in a statement.

The move follows criticism over the academy’s response to the lack of female representation at the 2018 Grammy awards. Out of 86 categories, only 17 awards were won by female artists, with just one – best new artist Alessia Cara – featured in the television broadcast. Recording Academy president Neil Portnow suggested that women artists needed to “step up” in order to achieve recognition. He later apologised for his remarks and announced the formation of a task force.

Portnow said of Tchen’s appointment: “The fact that she lacks business ties to the music industry ensures her objectivity as chair. In this moment, the Recording Academy can do more than reflect what currently exists; we can help lead the industry into becoming the inclusive music community we want it to be – a responsibility that the board and I take seriously. Tina Tchen is an accomplished advocate for women and impact-oriented leader versed in convening disparate stakeholders for a common purpose.”

Source: theguardian