Recording Academy Reports Diverse Membership Gains

The Recording Academy has made significant strides in diversifying its voting body, with 66% of current members having joined since a new membership model was introduced in 2019. This initiative aimed to increase representation, particularly for women and people of color, resulting in over 3,000 new female voting members and a 65% growth in voting members who identify as people of color. Notably, the 2024 Grammy Awards showcased this shift, with all televised winners being female acts, reflecting the Academy's commitment to inclusion. The Academy now boasts more than 16,000 members, with 13,000 being voting members, and has implemented strict membership criteria to ensure active industry engagement. Despite these advancements, the Academy acknowledges ongoing challenges in achieving complete diversity within its ranks, as current membership demographics still show a majority of men and white individuals. CEO Harvey Mason Jr. emphasizes that while progress has been made, the Academy continues to strive for a more representative membership that reflects the broader music community.