#YouTubeBlack Voices Fund: YouTube Music opens its 2022 applications + Offers new scholarship opportunities

YouTube Music is opening applications to the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund Class of 2022, with the aim to enable Black artists to commercialize their work.

Applications for the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund Class of 2022 will open on 21 June 2021.

Applications have been expanded to include songwriters and producers. In addition to the USA, Brazil, and Australia, this will allow Black artists residing in Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Canada, and the UK to apply.

YouTube Music is also launching a new partnership with music education institution 1500 Sound Academy, founded by Grammy-award-winning songwriters and producers, James Fauntleroy and Larrance “Rance” Dopson. Through the inaugural #YouTubeBlack Music Future Insiders Scholarship, YouTube will fund ten full scholarships to the Academy’s Live Online 1500 Music & Industry Fundamentals programme.

Alex Okosi, Youtube’s EMEA managing director for emerging markets, said, “The YouTube Music team is excited to expand the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund and create new opportunities while also reflecting on the progress made to date.The six-month scholarship term will see recipients undertake courses in music production, engineering, songwriting, mixing, music business and much more.”

Through the inaugural Class of 2021, the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund provided resources which included dedicated one-on-one support, seed funding, training, and networking programs that enabled the 21 grantees to achieve incredible growth – in YouTube and in their careers.