2026 Women of Live: Janice Cotton

Janice Cotton
Black Promoters Collective | Partner / Senior VP / Director of Human Resources

LAST JOB OUTSIDE THE LIVE BUSINESS | “Liberty House (department store) during college. I elevated my sales role into a more personal-stylist position.”

When Janice Cotton was growing up, she’d often enter radio contests, attending concerts as a prize recipient.
“While most people were focused solely on the performance, I was equally fascinated by how the shows were produced,” she tells Pollstar. “I found myself imagining the logistics behind the scenes – how artists were booked, how promotions worked, how everything came together. That early curiosity about what happens beyond the stage ultimately inspired me to pursue a career in live entertainment.”

One of her earlier roles was at Bay Area Productions, where she would answer phones and handle administrative responsibilities. She credits co-founder Lionel Bea, who now also serves as SVP of Black Promoters Collective, as a pillar of support in those early days.

“He made sure I was seen as a business professional,” she says. “That exposure shifted how others perceived me and ultimately changed the trajectory of my career.”

Now, at Black Promoters Collective, Cotton assisted with recent tours by Brandy & Monica and New Edition.
When she shares advice to young women working their way up through the music industry, she emphasizes the need to create their own space. “Never settle for the position the industry assigns you,” she says.

As more women are rising to the top of the charts in music and touring, Cotton notes that there is still work to be done behind the scenes.

“While visibility has increased, access to ownership, infrastructure and executive decision-making still requires progress,” she says. “The opportunity now is not just to participate, but to build companies, own IP, control narratives, and create equitable pathways for the next generation. This moment requires clarity and intention. Women must define their value, claim space unapologetically, and ensure their voices are present where strategy and budgets are decided.”

To build a lasting career in the music industry, Cotton emphasizes that showing up every day, no matter whether it’s hard, is necessary. “I’ve been through the trenches in this business, but I stayed because I love what I do,” she shares. “You cannot allow others to define you. You define yourself.”