Written by: Jade Dixon, DCMS TEAM Date: July 20, 2020  Some people listen to music as a way to escape life, but for others, music is life.
I had the opportunity to speak with our founder Dior Ashley Brown, a DC-based artist extraordinaire, dubbed the “Hip-Hop Polymath” by The Washington Post, about how DC Music Summit (DCMS) is utilizing its platform to help local musicians successfully navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. DCMS is a leader in emphasizing the value of underrepresented artists and teaching artists how to evolve and thrive in the music industry. As the norm of life changes, it is crucial to encourage creatives to stay motivated and practice their craft. “You have to keep moving towards your goals even within our current limitations, make time for self-care, knock out that list of things you’ve been wanting to get done like reading, advancing your skills, getting deeper in your craft. This is definitely the time to go within to meditate/pray, to reset. ” -- Dior Ashley Brown Dior provided tips below on how to keep grinding during COVID-19: 1. Don't stop creating. It’s our time to do what we love, and what is sorely needed. Music is like a muscle. The more you train it, the more it activates. Creating is a way of finding yourself, expanding on your capabilities, and evolving into a stronger sense of being. 2. Invest in yourself and your craft. Yes, it's necessary to believe in you! Invest time, energy, and resources into your passion. Take that class, read that book, save up for that piece of equipment. Investing in you and what you love can reap rewards. 3. Ride the wave. Storms and obstacles will come. Jump over those hurdles. Those challenges are there to make you stronger and to show what you're made of. Realize it, acknowledge it, tend to it, and attempt to heal at your pace as best you can to see yourself on the other side of it. You can do this! 4. Stay spiritually healthy both inside and out. Health is wealth and we’ve heard it many times before. Feed your spirit with goodness, meditation, positive energy, outdoor activities, and self care. 5. Never stop learning. There’s a saying, “You're only as old as your ability to process information.” From my interpretation, you age the moment you decide there isn’t anymore to learn. But, the awesome part about life is that there is always something new to learn every single day. There is no finish line, and there is no rush. Use these tips as a way to guide you through this pandemic and your everyday life. As you continue working towards your goals, remember that going after your dreams is no easy feat. Just keep moving towards those challenges, and success will follow. We want to hear from you! Share your tips and tricks on how you cope as an artist during these challenging times in the comments below.
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Written by: Jade Dixon, DCMS TEAM Date: July 2, 2020 At DC Music Summit (DCMS), our main goal is to empower and encourage local creatives to successfully navigate creative entrepreneurship. During this difficult time of COVID-19, we want to continue to uplift the spirits of our DC creatives. As our call to action, DCMS is creating options to engage with the community, promote their work, and generate inspiration, while echoing the importance of social distancing. We plan to execute the #CreatingInCOVID campaign starting July 9. Over the next three months, DCMS will be interviewing DMV-based artists and allow them to take over our Instagram profile (@dcmusicsummit) to share their day-to-day productive routine during quarantine and how they manage to stay motivated and consistent with their craft during these hard times. Below are the schedule of artists who will be participating in the campaign and takeover:
Written by: DC Music Summit Team Date : June 11, 2020 We’re living through history. An unprecedented health emergency, a tidal wave of civil unrest to eradicate systemic racism, economic and industrial uncertainty, and overall uncomfortable challenges to life as we knew it—but this is also a time for defining growth, unity, and momentum for change. Without live concerts, sporting events, nightlife, and other activities, we may finally have our time to reflect, plan, strategize, and execute widespread revolution. When Dior founded the DC Music Summit (DCMS), she envisioned an organization that would provide local creatives a safe space to bring their passions to light. She rooted in values of diversity, community, and service to ensure that all voices, especially people of color and women, were represented. As a Black woman, she understands the urgency to invest in a better future for creatives like her. Her leadership, and our diverse team at DCMS, are a testament to these values and work. As DCMS supports the creative community in working on their crafts and building their brands, we remain committed to uplifting undeserved communities around us. We’re committed to promoting positive change. We firmly believe it's imperative to stand up to racism, discrimination, and injustice not only within the music industry, but across all oppressive systems around the world. "It’s time for real change. As we have accepted precautions during the global pandemic as a shift in the way we may have to now create, live, and thrive. We also have to accept the shift happening in this time of crisis. America has to represent and include all races, colors, and creeds, it's Constitution has to be for all races, colors, and creeds. America must stand by its proclamation. Black Lives Matter!” Dior Ashley Brown, DCMS Founder There is no room for racism and hate in the music industry, this country, the world. As artist citizens, this is the time to utilize our talents and break down barriers as a way to demand justice. We ask tough questions and make powerful statements through our art as a way to become a part of the solution. We believe that music fuels movements. Music talks when one feels stifled. Music drives passionate action. Music helps elevate mindsets. Music heals the body and soul! Please comment and share how your work is helping embody these values, share any educational opportunities, post organizations in the industry that are part of the solution, or how you’re feeling and adapting during this difficult time. Let's continue to encourage each other to keep our hearts open and our minds vigilant!  |
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