2023 Women Of Live: Heather Lowery

President & CEO | Femme It Forward

Since Heather Lowery launched Femme It Forward in 2019 as an event series with panels and shows featuring all-women lineups, the music and entertainment company has continued to expand its impact while staying true to its mission of celebrating, educating, and empowering women in the industry.

March 2022 featured the launch of the “Big Femme Energy Live Tour” and the return of Femme It Forward’s Next Gem Femme mentorship program, pairing over 100 female mentees of color – who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees or currently serving in entry-level positions – with mentors working in marketing, publicity, the live industry and touring, business development, talent management, artist relations and more. The year was capped off in November with the inaugural Give Her FlowHERS Awards Gala at the Beverly Hilton.

“This was the first award show of its kind to exclusively honor women artists and executives,” Lowery says. “We were ahead of the game when we wisely awarded future Grammy nominees and winners, Latto, Muni Long, and Jozzy for their indispensable impact in music. We honored Kehlani for her alchemy, Victoria Monet for her vision and Tabitha Brown for spreading love. Additionally, philanthropy was at the core of this event.

“Not only did we honor some of our most influential Next Gem Femme mentors and industry executives – Ebonie Ward, Amber Grimes, Naydea Davis, and Madeline Nelson to name a few, but we also donated the gala proceeds to our Next Gem Femme Mentorship program. It is imperative that we seed the next generation of talent across music and entertainment, and we equip young women of color with the tools and resources they need to unlock their fullest potential. Our annual awards gala will make that a possibility for years to come, I hope.”

Lowery encourages her mentees and younger team members that they have the talent to succeed and will get the chance to shine through hard work and dedication: “Even if they can’t see clear opportunities in front of them, I want them to know they will come if they stay persistent, I also like to remind them to pay it forward when they become leaders in this industry,” she says. “This is how we create sustainable change over time and truly open doors for women of color.”