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These 6 Black women are reshaping the music business in Atlanta and beyond

From the metro area to Nigeria, these executives are making an impact in streaming, tech, record labels, law and artist management.
Black women music executives in Atlanta making their mark in streaming, tech, record labels, law and artist management. (Kei Henderson, Aurielle Brooks, Rachel “Rachie” Jackson, Tamika Howard, Phylicia Fant and Amber Grimes)

Credit: Photos by Natrice Miller/AJC | Handouts

Black women music executives in Atlanta making their mark in streaming, tech, record labels, law and artist management. (Kei Henderson, Aurielle Brooks, Rachel “Rachie” Jackson, Tamika Howard, Phylicia Fant and Amber Grimes)
17 hours ago

Several Black women music executives in Atlanta are taking the lead in helping companies restructure and reshape their operations to keep up with the future of the music business.

Some are turning their experiences from working inside of cushy offices at record labels into creative leadership positions at streaming and tech companies. Others are taking the entrepreneurial route, starting their own firms and agencies.

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Aurielle Brooks is a partner at Arrington & Phillips and vice president/general counsel at Collective Gallery. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
Aurielle Brooks is a partner at Arrington & Phillips and vice president/general counsel at Collective Gallery. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Aurielle Brooks

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Phylicia Fant leads music industry and culture collaborations at Amazon Music. Her role involves connecting the streamer with artists, industry events and historically Black colleges. (Handout)

Credit: Handout

Phylicia Fant leads music industry and culture collaborations at Amazon Music. Her role involves connecting the streamer with artists, industry events and historically Black colleges. (Handout)

Phylicia Fant

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Amber Grimes is the executive vice president, general manager of Love Renaissance Records and a partner in its management division, LVRN Management. (Courtesy)

Credit: Handout

Amber Grimes is the executive vice president, general manager of Love Renaissance Records and a partner in its management division, LVRN Management. (Courtesy)

Amber Grimes

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Kei Henderson is the owner and founder of Third and Hayden. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
Kei Henderson is the owner and founder of Third and Hayden. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Kei Henderson

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Tamika Howard is executive vice president of QC Media Holdings. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
Tamika Howard is executive vice president of QC Media Holdings. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Tamika Howard

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Rachel "Rachie" Jackson is YouTube’s artist and livestream partnerships manager. (Courtesy)

Credit: Handout

Rachel "Rachie" Jackson is YouTube’s artist and livestream partnerships manager. (Courtesy)

Rachel “Rachie” Jackson

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About the Author

Christopher A. Daniel is a Black Culture reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is an Atlanta-based, award-winning journalist, cultural critic and ethnomusicologist. He previously taught courses at Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University and Georgia State University.