Live Nation Urban Partners With Polly Irungu’s Black Women Photographers Organization For Summer/Fall Festivals 

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Live Nation Urban announced this week that it’s teaming up with Polly Irungu’s Black Women Photographers Organization for the third straight year in a collaborative partnership. Black women photographers and videographers can apply now for the chance to shoot LN Urban’s celebrated summer and fall festivals including Philadelphia’s Roots Picnic and Washington, D.C.’s Broccoli City.

The initiative is described as “a paid opportunity for Black creatives to chronicle the most memorable moments at marquee festivals throughout 2024, documenting the culture in motion on the grounds and as it unfolds onstage.” Applications are now open through May 31 at https://blackwomenphotographers.com/live-nation-urban

The partnership between Live Nation Urban and Black Women Photographers began with a contest to shoot just one festival in 2022, giving the photographers a chance to boost their visibility as their work was shared on various prominent social media channels. This week’s announcement notes that the expansion of the partnership to include eight events “reaffirms Live Nation Urban’s commitment to uplifting black women creatives and emphasizing representation as a core value.”

Other participating festivals include Mary J. Blige’s Strength of a Woman Festival in New York, Twogether Land and Kirk Franklin’s Exodus Music Festival in Dallas, One Music Fest in Atlanta BETX in Los Angeles and Lil Weezyana Fest in New Orleans. Check out the full list below.

“In our third year of partnership, we’re grateful for Live Nation Urban’s continued support and leadership in providing more paid opportunities for Black women and non-binary creatives to advance their work and careers in music photography and videography,” Beth Irungu, Executive Director of Black Women Photographers, said in a statement. “The next time you’re at a concert or festival, look at the photo pit and count how many Black Women Photographers you see documenting the event. That’s why this partnership is so impactful. Together, we’re changing the game and landscape of music behind the scenes.”

Live Nation Urban Marketing Manager Jasmine Kelly added, “​​Live Nation Urban is dedicated to fostering an environment of inclusivity for people of color and women. Through our continued collaboration with BWP, we not only showcase the talent on stage but also honor the invaluable contributions of those behind the scenes, behind the lens, and in the pit. Capturing the authentic essence of Black culture from within the community itself is paramount to the narrative we strive to uphold. As a Black woman immersed in the live space, I intimately understand the challenges of finding representation over the decade. Being part of this mission carries significant personal meaning for me.”

The Live Nation Urban festivals include:
May 10-12: Mary J. Blige’s Strength of a Woman Festival – New York, NY
May 25-26: Twogether Land on May 25-26 – Dallas, TX
May 25-26: Kirk Franklin’s Exodus Music Festival – Dallas, TX
May 25-26: One Music Fest in Atlanta, GA
June 1-2: Roots Picnic – Philadelphia, PA
June 27-29: BETX – Los Angeles, CA
July 27-28: Broccoli City – Washington, D.C.
Fall 2024: Lil Weezyana Fest in New Orleans, LA