A team from the MU attended Black Lives in Music (BLiM)’s flagship Classically Black event at King’s Place, London, on Saturday 18 October. We had a stall at the event and attended a panel chaired by MU activist Paulette Bayley, titled ‘Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves’.
The panel focussed on Black women in classical music, with Amanda Baldwin, Rianna Henriques and Carol Leeming. They discussed issues in education, career pathways, representation, EDI labour and colonial legacies.
The day also featured several performances, including a young people’s workshop with Pete Letanka.
L-R: London Regional Officer Simeon Scheuber-Rush, National Organiser for Orchestras Jo Laverty, Head of ED&I John Shortell, and ED&I Officer Dr Diljeet Bhachu at BLiM’s Classically Black event in October 2025.
Reflections from BLiM
As BLiM marks this milestone, we spoke with Dr Charisse Beaumont, co-founder and CEO, and Roger Wilson, Director of Operations and co-founder, about the past five years, their partnership with the MU, and what’s next.
Dr Charisse Beaumont
On her biggest highlight:
“There are so many highlights—from the impact of our research across industry and government to our collaborations with incredible partners like the MU, Help Musicians, CIISA, the BBC, and even Glastonbury. It’s all amazing work, and I’m proud of every part of it. But if I had to choose a favourite, it would be our very first Classically Black symposium, the UK’s first Black Classical Music Festival. The team did an outstanding job. To be able to platform the next gen talent in classical music, that’s at the heart of everything we do.”
On BLiM’s partnership with the MU:
“The MU's advocacy for our work has been incredible from the very beginning of Black Lives in Music, five years ago. When it comes to our relationship and collaboration, I feel both comforted and inspired—it truly feels like a safe space for us at BLiM to really create tangible change together. From the 10 Point Orchestral Plan to Project REMEL (Race Equality in Music Event Licensing) with the Mayor of London, our partnership with the MU is rooted in real action and shared purpose.
“Working with the MU feels like being part of one united team campaigning side by side for meaningful change in music. We are deeply grateful to Naomi, John and Diljeet for their care, commitment, and unwavering dedication to musicians from the Global Majority across the industry.”
On what’s ahead:
“I’d love to see more organisations working side by side with us. The MU has set the standard for what true collaboration looks like and I’m deeply grateful for that. When we work together, we can eliminate discrimination and build a music industry that’s truly safe, fair, and equitable for everyone.”
Charisse at the Musicians’ Census wrap event in 2024.
Roger Wilson
On his biggest highlight:
“Classically Black 24 and 25 —music sector stakeholders came together alongside a curious public to celebrate, commemorate and advocate for Black and Global Majority musicians in classical music. At both events we saw the diverse community that should always be there for classical music. They have been two absolutely fantastic events which embody the spirit of our work, and the reason we do what we do.”
On BLiM’s partnership with the MU:
“Partnership and advocacy underpin the strategy of our work. We've been beyond pleased and proud to work together with the Musicians' Union. It's been brilliant to work with Naomi, John and Diljeet in particular, but we've loved speaking and working with everyone at the MU.
“Our collaboration on the inclusive recruitment in orchestras plan, the Musicians’ Census, the Code of Conduct, and the Race Equality in Music Event Licensing (REMEL) project has shown how working together can help to transform the sector through game changing action.”
On what’s ahead:
“I feel assured of the direction of travel, but what concerns me is the speed. Organisations need to become more transparent with data and more proactive in sharing that information. The journey to make transformational change in the sector is long and attritional. Until we become honest about the lack of representation, the inequity and inequality that still exists, we will not feel compelled to drive change through understanding our own accountability in the narrative of impactful action”.
Roger at MU Delegate Conference 2023.
Reflecting on five years of partnership
The MU has been a partner of BLiM from the beginning, and in that time we have worked closely on a number of initiatives and events.
In 2023 we published the Musicians’ Census Global Majority report in partnership with BLiM, who were a core Census stakeholder. The report shines a light on the experiences of Global Majority musicians, presenting a rich intersectional lens on finances, working lives, discrimination and health and wellbeing.
The MU has also taken part in Classically Black events, including a panel discussion on EDI in Music Education featuring Dr Diljeet Bhachu, the MU’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer.
Over the past two years, the MU has been working closely with BLiM and LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment), alongside the Greater London Authority and Met Police on the Racial Equality in Music Events Licensing project (REMEL). REMEL looks at racial profiling in policing and licensing of live music events, and has included the commissioning of research on the issue, with a report forthcoming.
Another substantial initiative with BLiM has been the Inclusive Recruitment in Orchestras project, formerly known as the 10 Point Plan for orchestral recruitment. With over 30 orchestras on board in the first year and more joining, the project has already had a big impact in the orchestral sector in terms of collective movement towards change.
Find out more about the MU’s plans for year two of the Inclusive Recruitment in Orchestras project, including training for musicians and an Inclusive Recruitment Champion scheme.
Learn more and get involved