A pathway into the industry for diverse future leaders: Janelle Mitchell announced as 5th Richard Antwi Scholar
Wednesday, 5th October 2022The Richard Antwi Scholarship has announced that, after a highly competitive round of applications, it will continue its support to diverse, future industry leaders with the announcement that Janelle Mitchell is its fifth scholar. She will be awarded a full scholarship for a place this year on University of Westminster’s highly regarded Music Business Management MA course, commencing later this month.
Janelle Mitchell is a London-based creative and emerging music executive, who started off as a DJ in 2017, and now finds herself supporting artists from Kojey Radical to Little Simz, whilst also guest mixing for BBC 1Xtra, KISS FM and Capital XTRA and DJing at festivals, from Stormzy’s Merky Festival in Ibiza to Strawberries & Creem Festival. Janelle also works as an Artist Relations Manager at Believe, continuing to build a reputation in the industry.
The prestigious Richard Antwi Scholarship comprises full course fees; a bursary of £10,400 and career support.
The Richard Antwi Scholarship was founded in 2016 by friends and family, including many of the sector’s creators and shapers, as a response to the sudden death of hugely respected industry lawyer, manager and entrepreneur, Richard Antwi - who had contributed to the Music Business Management MA course on numerous occasions as guest lecturer. It is an annual award that seeks to champion next generation talent from diverse ethnic backgrounds, with the aim of continuing Richard’s legacy of supporting and enabling young people with sharp instincts, exceptional talent, drive and ambition to find their career pathway, fulfil their aspirations and increase representation in the industry.
The scholarship has been generously funded by all three UK major record labels, music publishers, and several of the top independent music companies and music law firms as well as individual donors: Sony Music UK, Universal Music UK, Warner Music UK, Sony Music Publishing, XL Records, Beggars Group, Young, Clintons, Hoare Associates and Modest! Management.
The scholarship is awarded in conjunction with the University of Westminster, to applicants who hold an offer of a place on the university’s highly regarded Music Business Management MA course. The course acts as a bridge between academic study, research, and the professional world of music business; preparing students to become the next generation of music industry leaders and entrepreneurs.
Previous scholars include inaugural recipient Jojo Mukeza (2018), followed by Esther Bokuma (2019). There was a hiatus in 2020, followed by two scholars in 2021; Shanice Edwards and Idris Green-Holder (in partnership with Universal Music UK). There have also been associate scholars, Daniel Beckley and Isatta Sheriff.
Phillip/Dora Antwi said “Huge congratulations to Janelle Mitchell for becoming the fifth Richard Antwi scholar. It has been over six years since Richard’s passing, and although we continue to miss him greatly, it is truly humbling to see his legacy and vision still out there in the world, embodied by the Richard Antwi Scholars, the scholarship team and all its champions, partners, supporters and funders across the industry. He would be proud. My family and I are so happy to honour and pay tribute to my brother Richard in this way, but also help to create a trusted pathway into the music business and therefore build access and opportunities for our diverse future leaders.”
Janelle Mitchell added “Receiving the Richard Antwi Scholarship feels like such an honour and I’m so excited for what’s to come! As a Black woman in music, the glass ceiling feels even more impenetrable, so being equipped with the Music Business Management MA, doubled up with guidance from the RAS team, will be an absolute game-changer for me. My ambitions are to utilise the MA to gain a senior position in music and shake up the industry from within, focusing on representation and diversity across the board."
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About The Richard Antwi Scholarship team – The scholarship is run by a team who work on a voluntary basis: Dora Addei, Phillip Antwi, Will Bloomfield (Modest! Management), Sally Anne Gross (Reader Music Business, Music Business Management MA, University of Westminster), Alex Hannaby (Big Machine Label Group), Paul Heard (musician, composer), Richard Hoare (Hoare Associates) and Matt Ross. The team has committed to preserving the legacy of Richard’s kindness, strength and compassion, and the discipline with which he marked his life’s work.
How to apply for the Richard Antwi Scholarship - The scholarship’s aim is to support Black and minority ethnic students living in the UK. All applicants must first hold an offer of a place on the MA Music Business Management course. For more detailed information click here
About Richard Antwi - Richard was a much-loved and widely respected music manager, lawyer and entrepreneur. Always ahead of the curve with sharp instincts, great ears… and a handsome smile! As Carl Fysh succinctly put it ‘Richard was quietly at the centre of everything’. Of Ghanaian heritage, Richard’s back story was written in north west London, progressing from a state comprehensive to study law at Oxford University, before embarking on a successful career which saw him play pivotal roles in the ascendance of many of the artists and executives currently making moves and running major organisations in the UK. The breadth of Richard’s support for others became abundantly clear when he passed so suddenly in 2016. The affection and respect in which he was held by so many people across the music industry and beyond, manifested in a desire to channel this goodwill and honour him in a way that captures and continues his legacy.
With thanks to scholarship funders: Sony Music UK, Universal Music UK, Warner Music UK, Sony Music Publishing, XL Records, Beggars Group, Young, Clintons, Hoare Associates, Modest! Management and Simon Stanley.
For further details contact Independent PR: Indy Vidyalankara at indy@indypendentpr.com/ 07881 822571