Throughout Black History Month, colleagues across PPL came together to celebrate Black culture, music and community, with events including a conversation with pioneering British reggae group Black Slate and an evening celebrating the different cultures represented across PPL.
Representation matters at PPL, both within our organisation and across the music industry we serve. The theme for this year’s Black History Month was ‘Honouring Our Communities’ and it provided an opportunity to celebrate the people and communities that have helped shape music in the UK, while recognising the contributions being made today.
Celebrating the legacy of Black Slate
As part of the month, PPL welcomed Grammy-nominated British reggae band Black Slate for a special fireside chat exploring their career and contribution to British reggae.
Formed in London in 1972, with members from England, Jamaica and Anguilla, Black Slate emerged as part of the development of British roots reggae. During the conversation, the group reflected on their beginnings, their contribution to Lovers Rock and reggae, and the story of Music House, the London dubplate mastering studio that became an important part of the capital’s reggae and sound-system culture.
The conversation was co-hosted by PPL’s Senior Industry Relations Manager Titania Altius and Kennedy Mensah of Black Slate.
Honouring our communities
PPL’s Black History Month celebrations culminated in a Quiz and Culture Day, bringing colleagues together to celebrate the different cultures and heritage represented across the organisation.
Reflecting this year’s theme of ‘Honouring Our Communities’, the event also recognised the work and achievements of PPL employees Natalie Wade MBE and Titania Altius.
Alongside her role as Director of Music Industry Engagement at PPL, Natalie is the founder of Small Green Shoots, an organisation established in 2009 to create career opportunities for young people who are under-represented within the creative industries. She is also co-founder of The Cat’s Mother Network, a not-for-profit network connecting young women aged 18 to 24 from low-income backgrounds with established women working in the music industry.
Titania, Senior Industry Relations Manager, has built a career spanning music licensing, education and artist support. Her previous roles have included working as a Music Licensing Consultant at PRS for Music and Creative Programme Manager at Help Musicians UK. She has also lectured at the London College of Fashion and has served on the board of Raw Material Music & Media, a Brixton-based organisation supporting the creative and personal development of young people and communities through music and the arts.
Black History Month is an important opportunity to celebrate the people and achievements that have shaped our industry and our communities. But recognition and representation should extend beyond a single month. By continuing to celebrate different perspectives and recognise the people driving positive change, we can help build a music industry in which everyone has the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
