Melodies of Change: Celebrating Women's History Month at Give a Beat
As Women's History Month draws to a close, it is essential to honor and celebrate the remarkable women who have significantly contributed to Give a Beat's mission of using music to address social, racial, and economic inequalities. Let's shine a spotlight on some of the influential women associated with Give a Beat and their inspiring contributions:
Lauren Segal and Virginia Cheung, Founders
Co-founder and Executive Director of Give a Beat, Lauren Segal envisioned using the power of music to create positive social change. Together with Virginia Cheung, Director of Advancement at Wu Yee Children's Services, they established Give a Beat in 2014. Their dedication has led to the formation of a diverse Board of Directors and impactful initiatives challenging oppressive systems.
Coordinators
Christie Ninerell, Community Engagement Coordinator
Christie Ninerell, a Rutgers University Marketing graduate, is deeply committed to community engagement. During college, she tutored individuals in jail and advocated for students to receive the essential resources and tools to help them earn their GEDs. With experience in empowering marginalized groups, she joined Give a Beat in 2021. Her role involves supporting marketing, development, and community engagement initiatives. Christie’s previous work includes founding the New Beginnings program to assist formerly incarcerated individuals in rejoining society through employment. Through this initiative, she was nominated as a top 3 finalist for Project Leader of the Year out of 8,000 Enactus students. Her passion for social impact makes her a valuable asset to any organization.
Rev. Dr. Dorthea Enrique, Communications Coordinator
Rev. Dr. Dortheá Enriqúe, a beacon of light in the realm of arts and culture, stands out for her unwavering commitment to social justice. As a communications coordinator at Give a Beat, she strategically utilizes her platform to advocate for marginalized communities and amplify voices that often go unheard. Through her journalistic endeavors with Sierra Magazine, Patheos, Mom’s Rising, Mom’s Clean Air Force and other publications, she shines a spotlight on pressing issues such as women's empowerment, maternal justice, racial equity, climate change, and social justice. Recognized for her efforts as a RISE Award winner of the Resilience in Climate Equity (RICE) Awards, she channels her passion for storytelling and advocacy to drive meaningful change in society.
Teaching Artists
Angela Ramirez, Teaching Artist & Artist Relations Coordinator
Angela Ramirez - Known as Spiñorita, Angela is an LA-based DJ and Producer committed to uniting people through music. Her career spanning over 12 years reflects her passion for bringing diverse communities together on the dance floor. Angela's role as a Teaching Artist with Give a Beat since 2021 showcases her dedication to empowering others through music. Read KCRW’s article “Spiñorita inspires incarcerated Californians through music.”
Esseance Gray, Teaching Artist & Program Coordinator
Esseance Gray - Also known as DJ DeepTwerk, Esseance is a Program Coordinator and Teaching Artist at Give a Beat. Her multicultural upbringing inspired her to use music as a tool for unity and cultural bridging. Esseance's involvement with Give a Beat stems from her alignment with the organization's mission to empower those impacted by the judicial system.
Shaine Barnett, Teaching Artist
Shaine Barnett - A producer and DJ based in LA, Shaine, known as bb Shaine, plays a vital role as a Teaching Artist at Give a Beat. As a co-head of GRN+GLD, she contributes to the underground electronic scene in Southern California. Shaine's dedication to teaching electronic music production and DJing in Give a Beat's youth programs highlights her commitment to nurturing young talent.
On a New Track Trailblazers
Geri ‘geriFree’ Meyers, On a New Track Graduate 2021 & Give a Beat Records label artist
Starting her music career in Give a Beat’s On a New Track Reentry Mentoring Program, Meyers – who’s taken the artist moniker, geriFree – has made a name for herself with her infectious spirit and energy. In her 60s, she knows first-hand what it means to evolve and transform throughout life and she aims to inspire people and show what is possible when you keep working on yourself. She loves to use her talents to benefit causes close to her heart, such as supporting victims of domestic violence. Read more about geriFree at giveabeat.org/gerifree
“Give a Beat gave me an opportunity to pursue a dream. In spite of me being formerly incarcerated, in spite of my age, they opened that door and believed in me. There’s so much beauty in that.” - Geri
Alejandra, On a New Track Graduate 2021
Alejandra, based in Phoenix, AZ, is passionate about DJing, mixing, and audio engineering. She is an advocate for abortion rights and immigration justice, which are fundamental aspects of her work and beliefs. Engaged in community organizing, she collaborates with local abolitionist creatives to create a movement mixtape featuring Black, Indigenous POC voices. Alejandra is also actively involved in producing her “Support Don’t Deport” podcast, aiming to delve deeper into the realm of audio engineering. She believes in the power of music in cultural work and strives to continue sharing impactful stories through her beautiful music productions.
“This [On a New Track] program was really great. I felt like this is exactly what people should be doing as far as wanting to give back in this way - build capacity in people and go on and become your best self.” -Alejandra
Inspiring and Influential Women
Stacey 'Hotwaxx' Hale: Godmother of House
Stacey 'Hotwaxx' Hale, a prominent DJ and producer in Detroit's house music scene for over 30 years, Stacey is known as the Godmother of House Music. She was the first female DJ to play house music on Detroit’s radio airwaves. Stacey's musical influence extends globally, including performances at prestigious events like the Sónar Barcelona festival. Scheduled for release in the summer of 2024, a collaboration between Hotwaxx and HazMat Live will bring an unique twist to geriFree's "Pure Joy." Fans can look forward to experiencing a dynamic and innovative remix that is sure to captivate audiences with its fresh sound and creative energy.
DJ Minx: Founder of 'Women on Wax' collective and record label
Jennifer Witcher, also known as DJ Minx, hails from Detroit. She is a prominent figure in the house and techno music scene, renowned as a DJ and Producer. DJ Minx is the founder of the DJ collective 'Women on Wax' and the associated record label 'Women on Wax Recordings'. Her contributions have left a lasting impact on the industry.
Ultra Naté: Internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter and DJ
Internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter and DJ, Ultra Naté, is renowned for her contributions to the electronic music genre. With a career spanning several decades, she has released chart-topping hits such as "Free," "Automatic," and "If You Could Read My Mind," showcasing her unique style and vocal talent. Ultra Naté continues to push boundaries and experiment with different musical styles, earning her a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim in the industry.
Michelle Alexander: Noted author and civil rights advocate
Michelle Alexander is a prominent author and civil rights advocate known for her groundbreaking work in addressing racial inequality and mass incarceration in the United States. She is best known for her critically acclaimed book "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness," where she exposes the racial bias present in the American criminal justice system and highlights the disproportionate impact on African Americans. Alexander's work has sparked important conversations about systemic racism and social justice, making her a leading voice in the fight for equality and human rights.
Ava Duvernay: Renowned filmmaker and advocate for social justice
Ava DuVernay, a renowned filmmaker and advocate for social justice, is known for her impactful works that shed light on important social issues. Some of her notable works include the powerful documentary "13th," which explores the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States. Additionally, her groundbreaking film "Selma" chronicles the historic 1965 voting rights marches led by Martin Luther King Jr. in Alabama. DuVernay's work not only showcases her talent as a filmmaker but also highlights her commitment to addressing pressing societal issues through the art of storytelling.
Madame Gandhi: Electronic music artist and activist advocating for gender liberation
Madame Gandhi is an award-winning artist and activist known for her uplifting, percussive electronic music and positive message about gender liberation and personal power. Her mission is to use her music and voice as a medium for a message about positivity, personal expression and human thriving. Madame Gandhi's notable works include her debut EP "Voices" released in 2016, which features empowering and socially conscious tracks such as "The Future is Female" and "Her." Additionally, her singles "Bad Habits" and "See Me Thru" have garnered critical acclaim for their unique blend of electronic music and thought-provoking lyrics. Her music not only entertains but also serves as a platform to raise awareness and advocate for gender equality and social justice. Check out Madame Gandhi’s Guest Artist visit in Give a Beat’s Youth Music Production & DJ Program.
As we reflect on Women's History Month, let's honor these exceptional women at Give a Beat and beyond who are driving positive social change through their talents and dedication for social justice. Their contributions serve as a testament to the power of art in fostering unity, empathy, and empowerment. Let's continue to celebrate and support women in music and beyond, ensuring their voices are heard and their impact recognized.
