Johnnie Walker’s Latest Project Empowers Black Women to Make “Bold Steps”
Partnering with Dankie Sounds in its creative-focused initiative.
Through its ongoing “Bold Steps” initiative, Johnnie Walker Black Label has been on a mission to support emerging creatives and amplify their unique artistic practices. This year focuses specifically on Black female artists, helping to remove the boundaries they face in the mainstream.
In a similar structure to its debut phase last year where it collaborated with South Asian diaspora platform Diet Paratha, the brand united with Dankie Sounds – a music and entertainment collective dedicated to amplifying African dance genres globally – who tapped into its network to select the latest group of mentees. “We’re excited to showcase our work for Johnnie Walker’s “Bold Steps” initiative, designed to take our commitment to female excellence even further,” shared the team on its involvement. “This is our way of playing a small part in the bigger mission, ensuring that all women have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.”
The three artists Dankie Sounds are platforming include South African singer Nqobilé, London-based DJ Nicky Summers, and Zimbabwe-born emcee Captain Lulaz. Helping them to “Keep Walking” towards their goals – as per Johnnie Walker’s overarching purpose – the brand enlisted industry expert Davina Merchant to host one-on-one coaching sessions, something that she has familiarity with through her role as a senior A&R manager.
It’s not only mentorship that the trio were offered in the initiative. Each mentee was also gifted a bursary, of which they could use on equipment, travel, or even studio time to help foster their skills. For Nicky Summers, the money will be put towards studio time and PR to increase opportunities to publicize her art, while Nqobilé will invest in software for digital editing, videography, and costumes for promotional content to help her add to her portfolio of working with Rihanna, Drake, and other artists.
However, for Captain Lulaz, the bursary and wider initiative have been key to helping her raise the visibility of Black women in entertainment, saying, “I hope my music inspires people that look like me, that are from the same background as me.” By using her bursary to hire professional photographers and personal stylists as well as cover travel expenses and other costs that come with touring, she aims to touch all corners of the globe and be a role model for others who follow in her footsteps.
The three chosen artists will also be given a platform to perform at upcoming Dankie Sounds events. Follow Dankie Sounds on its Instagram page for more information about the events, and find out more about the wider “Bold Steps” initiative by heading to Johnnie Walker’s website now.
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