Royalty Media Group Blog

Women Who Jam in affiliation with NABFEME (National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment, Inc) have made it their business to expose female talent in the male dominated world of entertainment. Both NABFEME and Women Who Jam (one year in the making) were founded by Ms Johnnie Walker, a former Def Jam employee. NABFEME is a non profit organization that was created (founded almost a decade ago) to have the women of color in the entertainment industry recognized for all the work they do behind the scenes that help keep the business thriving. The New York chapter/network of NABFEME currently funds the Women Who Jam events.

Johnnie Walker felt like there was a lot of untapped talent in the New York area and wanted to be able to bridge that talent together with people who are industry. It’s not a talent showcase, it’s an opportunity for women to perform their talent and get critiqued.

-Karen Abdul

Karen Abdul is currently the events and finance manager of Women Who Jam, New York as well as the stage manager. Very humble and approachable, she did not hesitate on an opportunity to talk about the event and how this particular WWJ was created even while behind stage making sure the event progressed smoothly while assisting Erika Kendrick (the mistress of ceremony and the WWJ president).

The opportunity is first presented through an online/email blast getting the word out that there will be another Women Who Jam event and where to send in a video/mp3 recording of their talent. Then the decision of who is in the showcase is finalized by Ms Johnnie Walker after she reviews the talent submitted. After that the show is then organized and run by Ms Karen Abdul. To further help expose the artists presenting there are commissioners (industry heads) that are present to give the artists constructive feedback on their work so they can ultimately continue to grow. At this specific Women Who Jam held at the famous Ashford & Simpson Sugar Bar on the Upper Westside the commissioners were: James Huggins of Orpheus Records, Shante Bacon who is founder/producer of the 135^th St Agency, Monique Dante who is founder/CEO of Swan Marketing for upcoming artists, and Shelly Wade of Mid-day Air (Radio personality at Z-100 NY and Kiss).

Focusing on women empowerment in the industry behind the scenes and on stage NABFEME and Women Who Jam have spread nationally. Assisting women with owning their craft and taking charge of their art this event will only continue to grow. Come be a part of history at their next event which will be held at Marriot Marquis in Time Square Monday June 30^th @6pm where there will be an all male panel in the industry discussing how they make hits and their work behind the scenes. For a list of upcoming events and more info Women Who Jam visit www.womenwhojam.com and www.womenet.org