Kourtney Toney, Manager of Community Engagement and Programming for the Academy of Country Music, shares her insights on the importance of representation and equity in the country music industry.
Kourtney Toney has been a driving force in advocating for marginalized communities, increasing the representation of people of color within the country music industry. In this episode, we discuss the importance of providing access to vital resources and opportunities for talented individuals from all walks of life, and the need for Nashville to truly live up to its "Music City" moniker by representing everyone.
“My hope is that for all marginalized communities, there is no fear for them to go after what they feel called to in terms of performing country music,” Kourtney offers. “I hope that this is something that does have a long-term longevity in it because I do think that there is beauty in it.”
Growing up in Huntsville, Alabama, Kourtney was deeply involved in the arts, particularly musical theater, though she soon discovered another passion lay on the business side of the music industry, leading her to pursue a career in marketing and publicity.
A pivotal moment in Kourtney's career came in 2020, following the murder of George Floyd. This tragic event sparked a shift within her and the industry.
“I kept seeing different friends who were in Atlanta or LA or New York or Miami even, that were talking about it within their own industry,” she says. “But we're not talking about it here [in Nashville].”
Within 72 hours, Kourtney and other African-American executives in Nashville's music scene organized a panel discussion that attracted over a thousand industry members. This effort led to the formation of Nashville Music Equality, an organization dedicated to addressing systemic issues and promoting diversity within the music industry.
“We came together as like-minded individuals,” Kourtney shares, “to really change country music, or at least to start going in the right way."
Kourtney's work at the Academy of Country Music focuses on increasing representation across the industry, particularly through programs like the Level Up Program, which aims to help mid-career professionals from marginalized communities advance into leadership positions. Additionally, she oversees the On-Ramp Program, which provides opportunities for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to enter the industry.
"We’re so excited about the possibilities of what this can be in terms of helping people to understand not only the business,” she says, “but also giving them opportunities to perform.”
Despite the incredible progress, Kourtney acknowledges the ongoing challenges, particularly in ensuring equity. “A lot of people get equality and equity confused. I think for me, from the standpoint of country music, I think it's giving people full access no matter what background you come from.”
There has been a surge in the inclusion of diverse voices in country music recently — Beyonce, Brittany Spencer and Reyna Roberts to name just a few — and it has expanded the genre’s overall appeal.
“When you open up to different people and people are hearing the different sounds and are exposed to new artists, I think that plays a role,” she says. “Now country is not only cool, but it's also just been exposed to so many more different people that probably ordinarily would not have listened.”
Kourtney is hopeful that the current momentum will lead to long-term change, emphasizing that the industry’s evolution is a marathon, not a sprint.
As Nashville continues to grow and evolve, Kourtney's work is vital in ensuring that the city lives up to its title of Music City by truly representing everyone. Her efforts in promoting equity and inclusion are helping to shape a more diverse and welcoming industry for future generations.
To learn more about the ways you can get involved with the Tennessee Diversity Consortium, visit tennesseediversityconsortium.org/join-tdc. And be sure to follow Speak Up for Equity wherever you listen to podcasts.
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