The Visionary Spark
In the summer of 1999, entertainment industry veteran Ms. Johnnie Walker... drawing from her extensive background in radio, film, and recorded music, founded NABFEME (The National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment, Inc). The organization made its official industry debut in 2000 at the Urban Network Music Conference in Palm Springs, CA.
The concept for NABFEME was born out of necessity. After attending numerous industry conferences, Ms. Walker realized these events rarely featured female perspectives or provided career support tailored to women. Furthermore, she observed a stark lack of women in high-level leadership roles within major entertainment companies. Driven by these frustrations and her own experiences as a woman of color with ambitious goals, Ms. Walker set out to create a vehicle for change. The mission was clear: to increase the visibility of Black women in entertainment, raise their professional profiles, and provide a dedicated space for networking, empowerment, and access to industry leaders.
The Original Six
The organization was formed to create a networking, support and empowerment base for professional women of color in music and entertainment. Based in New York, the focus was economic and career development; once the business and marketing plans were formalized, Ms. Walker recruited a board of aggressive women from various business disciplines. This founding group, known as the Original Six included: Toni Bell, Michelle Madison, Gwen Priestly, Vanessa Barryer, Ramona Harrison-Hardy and Ms Walker. The Original Six were visionary women who understood the importance of developing an organization that would be dedicated to empowering, mentoring and promoting women of color in music and entertainment.
Landmark Programs & Milestones
Once organized, NABFEME quickly launched several cornerstone initiatives designed to support and promote women of color:
- High Heels in High Places: This program redefines the imagery of power. It intentionally spotlights high-achieving women to provide tangible blueprints for success. It reinforces that Black women belong at the highest echelons of music, entertainment, and business. And, by using the metaphor of "High Heels," it reclaims femininity and grace as assets in the boardroom rather than liabilities.
- Shero Hall of Fame: Established to honor trailblazing women whose career paths cleared the way for future generations.
- Celebration of the Celebrity Mom: A tribute to the matriarchs... honoring the incredible women who nurtured the dreams of our favorite superstars and paved the way for their extraordinary success.
- Mentor Connection: A structured program pairing members looking for guidance with established executives willing to share knowledge and lead.
- International Women’s Leadership Summit (2001): A signature three-day symposium featuring workshops, gala events, and direct access to industry leaders.
- Donna M. Moore Scholarship Fund (2003): Created to provide students with needed resources to become the next generation of entertainment executives.
- WOMEN WHO JAM! (2003): A syndicated radio program and national all-female music showcase that provides a marketing platform for groundbreaking musicians and entertainers.
- NABFEME Prep (2006): A voluntary partnership between local schools, entertainment businesses and accomplished executives to bridge the gap between the music, the business and the myth. The program was later revised and renamed NABFEME Amplified.
NABFEME Today
What began as a visionary concept has evolved into a world-class global organization. While the organization has grown significantly in scale, its core values remain unchanged: a steadfast dedication to the empowerment, education, and advancement of women of color in the global music and entertainment landscape.
Program Enhancement
Sisters Behind the Beat: A dynamic seminar series that highlights the "unsung" powerhouses of entertainment. It empowers the next generation by featuring top-tier female professionals and executives who masterfully navigate the business behind the scenes with skills and fortitude.
The Lady Mogul Awards®: A dedicated platform that salutes the everyday female champion. These awards spotlight the small businesswoman, the local leader making a daily impact through her work ethic and grit. We celebrate these women as essential role models and drivers of change within their own communities.
