BMAC Fundraiser Raises Money for Aspiring Creatives, Wildfire Relief

Fostering the next generation of music creatives while also supporting relief efforts for those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires were the twin themes of the Black Music Action Coalition’s BMAC x Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Music Maker Grants dinner/ceremony.

The third annual event (Jan. 29) also doubled this year as the organization’s ReStore & ReBuild LA fundraiser benefiting the BMAC Fire Relief Fund.

Music’s inspirational and healing power reverberated inside Los Angeles supper club Delilah when 10-year-old Grayson Roberts, whose family lost its home in the Altadena fire, delivered a rousing drum performance of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.” In addition to being presented with an honorary $2500 Music Maker Grant by BMAC, music executive Merck Mercuriadis matched that with another $2500 grant. BMAC also gave Grayson’s mother Terica Roberts another $2500 grant to support her immediate needs while Tristar Sports and Entertainment Group founder/CEO Lou Taylor gave the Roberts family an additional $20,000 grant.

The evening’s other highlight was the reveal of this year’s BMAC x Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Music Maker Grants recipients. Najaya and Sapphyre Bardot were each presented with $5000 from the grant namesakes and BMAC. Established in 2023, the Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Music Make Grants provide financial support, mentorship, studio time and networking opportunities to Black music producers and songwriters.

BMAC president/CEO Willie “Prophet” Stiggers also recognized key contributions to the BMAC Fire Relief Fund, including a $50,000 donation from Primary Wave, $17,000 from The Neil Lasher Music Fund and $5000 from LaPolt Law. Stiggers commented in part, “That’s the spirt in which we’re holding this event. These are people who are investing and rebuilding and restoring the spirit of this town.”

Among the industry executives and social justice advocates in attendance were U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) and LaPolt Law’s Dina LaPolt.

Putting a musical exclamation point on the evening with spirit-raising performances were pioneers Public Enemy with their anthem “Fight the Power,” Anthony Hamilton delivering his soulful “Best of Me” and Andra Day empowering the room with her signature call to “Rise Up.”