Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) founder Willie “Prophet” Stiggers has joined the founders board of the Neil Lasher Music Fund at Caron Treatment Centers, which provides financial assistance to music workers for drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
With Stiggers in the fold, BMAC and the fund will work together to help address the stigma of addiction in the Black music world and offer support for members of that community who are seeking out treatment.
On Feb. 2, Stiggers spoke at the fund’s annual “Breakfast With the Founders Board,” during which he addressed the stigma surrounding “treatment, mental health and wellness” in the Black community. “Our goal is to try and break that down,” he said. “Economics should never be a barrier to whether or not someone can survive, be alive, [and] have the treatment that they need.”
Stiggers said he became aware of the Neil Lasher Music Fund after veteran music attorney and BMAC executive leadership council member Dina LaPolt invited him to join her at a 2023 dinner where she was being honored by Caron Treatment Centers, which provides the addiction treatment for individuals who receive grants from the fund. “As I began to do some research and found out that you all provide funding for people in the industry and their family members to get treatment, I said, ‘This is incredible. How can we get involved? How can we help spread this message?’” Stiggers recounted.
In partnership with BMAC, the fund currently has plans to provide artist “recovery” support spaces at music festivals and venues, as well as to create an awareness-building event in Atlanta this year.
“Seeking help for addiction and mental health issues is unfortunately still highly stigmatized within the Black community, and BMAC wants to align with the Neil Lasher Music Fund to help the community with awareness, education, and resources,” said LaPolt of Stiggers and BMAC’s involvement in the fund. “In my role as a member of the executive leadership council of BMAC, Prophet and I have worked together for years on our music creator and social justice advocacy efforts. I was glad to help connect Prophet to our Founders Board, and I know that together we will facilitate important change.”
