On Tuesday (June 22) in celebration of Black Music Month, the Grammy Museum and Recording Academy announced a new multi-year college scholarship and internship program that aims to support the next generation of Black music creators.
In honor of the late Quinn Coleman, who died last year at age 31, the Quinn Coleman Scholarship and supplemental internship program will provide financial support and career development opportunities that will help prepare college students for post-graduate, full-time employment. Coleman was a Capitol Records executive, DJ and the son of Randy Coleman and former BET Networks chairwoman and CEO Debra Lee.
Beginning next year, the Grammy Museum will annually select one Black college student per city in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York City and Washington, D.C., or surrounding areas, pursuing a career in music, or other related fields, to receive the newly announced Quinn Coleman Scholarship. (A total of five Black college students will be selected to receive the scholarship each year.)
Lee, the late Coleman’s mom, said in a statement, “Quinn’s creativity defied labels and expectations. In the mixing of songs shared during nights as ‘DJ Spicoli,’ in the creation of his genre-blending festival Trillectro, which brought together musicians rarely placed together on the same lineup, and in countless other collaborations and projects, Quinn had the foresight to create connections that others didn’t see coming. I am honored to have this internship and scholarship program named after my son, Quinn.”
“Quinn had a passion for helping young Black music creators and artists,” she continued. “This program will help keep his legacy alive.”
As part of the Quinn Coleman Scholarship, each of the five annually selected students will receive a tuition scholarship, book and equipment stipend, money to invest in a personal portfolio and an interview preparation stipend. They will also participate in a paid summer internship and work with the Grammy Museum, Recording Academy and affiliated chapters.
Michael Sticka, president of the Grammy Museum, said in a statement, “The music industry, Quinn’s family and friends and the general public came together to donate funds in memory of Quinn with the aim to impact the future of music.”
“In collaboration with Quinn’s family, the Grammy Museum is honored to be the custodian of those funds to provide financial resources that will help to provide a pathway of professional development and careers for the next generation of Black music creators,” he added. “Our aim is to continue fundraising in Quinn’s honor to eventually establish an endowment to ensure that this important program and work lasts well into the future.”
More details regarding the Quinn Coleman Scholarship and supplementary internship program, including eligibility requirements, will be announced in Spring 2022.
