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KINFOLK NASHVILLE
In celebration of Black Music Month, Kinfolk, an Employee Resource Group of Warner Music Group, hosted its first-ever Kinfolk Nashville Writers Camp, a three-day songwriting and industry intensive designed to amplify Black voices in the heart of Music City.
Held June 24–26, 2025 at Warner Chappell Nashville, the camp welcomed over 60 Black artists, songwriters, and producers for writing sessions, mentorship, and real-world music business education. Spanning genres from country to hip-hop, the camp showcased Black musical excellence through curated rooms and impactful conversations.
Click here to watch the recap video!
The guest lineup featured leading creatives and mentors, including Willie Jones, Ron Gilmore Jr., Shannon Sanders, Yung Lan, Derek Minor, and Mimi McCarley. Dozens of pitch-ready song demos were created during the sessions, reflecting the camp’s focus on collaboration, professional growth, and industry access.
In a move that underscored Kinfolk’s core mission, the camp invited hand-selected students from Tennessee State University and Fisk University to participate alongside industry professionals—offering them hands-on creative experience and invaluable exposure to the inner workings of the music industry.
Educational sessions included:
Shifting Sounds, a panel on Nashville’s evolving music scene, moderated by Joe Major (101.1 The Beat), with Benji Amaefule, Thalia Ewing, and Shannon Sanders
Master Class with Ron Gilmore Jr., the acclaimed producer and musician known for work with J. Cole and Lauryn Hill
Music Publishing 101, led by Orondé Jenkins, covering copyright law, publishing deals and royalties
Sync Licensing 101, moderated by Chandel Shanklin, with panelists Derek Minor, John "JMo" Moses, John Mero, Ben Short, and Mimi McCarley, diving into music for film, TV, and games.
The camp was organized by members of the Kinfolk ERG at Warner Music Group, including Orondé Jenkins, Jada Wilson, Benji Amaefule, Johnny Reynolds, Chandel Shanklin, and Jalen Miller, whose vision and collaboration marked a major milestone for Black creative empowerment in Nashville.
The event’s community-centered approach also included purchasing goods and services from Black-owned Nashville businesses such as Barseat with RSC, Ghot Wingz, The Cupcake Collection, Bag Lady’s Fry Joint, One Band Brand, and others—ensuring the camp’s economic footprint matched its cultural mission.
Participant feedback underscored the event’s importance. “This has genuinely been one of the best weeks of my life,” said one attendee. Another shared, “I needed this. It definitely filled my cup—I’m already running home to listen to the songs.”
One veteran executive noted the camp may be the first of its kind in Nashville—a writers camp created by and for Black creatives—and called it a “transformative moment” for the city’s music industry.
The Kinfolk Nashville Writers Camp was more than an event—it was a cultural statement.
As Nashville redefines its musical identity, Kinfolk is leading the charge to ensure Black voices are not just included, but centered.
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