The Recording Academy® has appointed GRAMMY® Award-winning poet and artist J. Ivy, and artist, songwriter and media host Torae as the new Co-Chairs of the Black Music Collective (BMC).

Selected by Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. and Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Chelsey Green, the pair will serve as thought leaders, collaborating on initiatives that build trust with and empower Black artists, creators and music executives. They will also help structure BMC programs, events and campaigns while advancing year-round efforts in education, advocacy, wellness, innovations, and continued investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

“J. Ivy and Torae have long been valued members of the Recording Academy family, consistently volunteering their time and using their platforms to drive positive change within the organization,” said Mason. “I’m confident they will lead the Black Music Collective with purpose and vision, introducing bold ideas and deepening our support for Black music creatives and executives across the music industry.”

“J. Ivy and Torae have been stalwart voices on our Board, championing inclusion, representation and integrity on all sides of our work,” said Dr. Chelsey Green. “As leaders of the Black Music Collective, they will amplify the Black music creator community, expanding education and advocacy efforts while working to ensure that Black creators—in all their diversity of genre, expression and innovation—are more deeply seen, heard and valued.”

The BMC has proudly hosted the annual GRAMMY Week event, Recording Academy Honors – a marquee event established in 2022 that recognizes legendary Black artists and executives whose influence has profoundly impacted the music industry. Honorees are presented with the Recording Academy Global Impact Award for their outstanding personal and professional contributions to music. Past recipients include Alicia Keys, Dr. Dre, Lenny Kravitz, Lil Wayne, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, and Sylvia Rhone.

Since 2021, in partnership with Amazon Music, the BMC has also championed educational equity for HBCU students through the annual Your Future Is Now Scholarship. The initiative provides $10,000 grants to students for music equipment, alongside immersive, hands-on professional development experiences with both the Academy and Amazon Music teams. Additionally, each year, an HBCU is selected to receive a separate $10,000 grant to support its band program.

J. Ivy is a trailblazing poet, artist and performer who has redefined the role of poetry in mainstream culture. A three-time GRAMMY winner from Chicago, he made history in 2023 as the first poet to win the GRAMMY Award for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album for The Poet Who Sat By The Door, followed by a second win in 2024 for The Light Inside. His accolades also include honors from the Clio, Peabody and Telly Awards, as well as the NAACP Image Awards. J. Ivy’s career spans collaborations with icons like JAY-Z, John Legend and Ray Charles, as well as performances at the GRAMMY Awards Annual Premiere Ceremony®, The White House, the United Nations, and major sporting events. Beyond poetry, his artistry extends to television, film, commercials, and narration, making him a modern-day renaissance man whose passionate work inspires audiences worldwide.

Torae is a multifaceted artist, songwriter and cultural leader whose influence spans music, media and community. A former president of the Academy’s New York Chapter, he is a vocal advocate for equitable music policy and systemic industry change. Torae hosts two signature SiriusXM shows, “The Tor Guide” and “That Raw,” and regularly appears on live platforms including New York City FC and the Rock the Bells Cruise. As a songwriter, his work has contributed to multi-platinum hits for artists like BLACKPINK, Cardi B, Lizzo, and Migos, with his music also featured across major networks and brands. Beyond entertainment, Torae continues to expand his work in acting, entrepreneurship and philanthropy, driving cultural impact both on and off the stage.

In addition to their new roles, J. Ivy continues to serve as Governor of the Chicago Chapter, while Torae holds a seat as a National Trustee representing the New York Chapter.