♪ ♪ ♪ >> Valeisha Butterfield Jones, the co-president of the Recording Academy.

Next on "The Chavis Chronicles."

>> Major funding for "The Chavis Chronicles" is provided by the following.

At Wells Fargo, we are committed to diversity and understand our responsibility in supporting and empowering diverse communities.

Diversity and inclusion is integral to the way we work.

Supporting the financial health of our diverse customers and employees is one of the many ways we remain invested in inclusion for all today, tomorrow, and in the future.

American Petroleum Institute -- through the core elements of API's Energy Excellence Program, our members are committed to accelerating safety, environmental and sustainability progress throughout the natural-gas and oil industry in the U.S. and around the world.

You can learn more at api.org/apiEnergyExcellence.

Reynolds American, dedicated to building a better tomorrow for our employees and communities.

Reynolds stands against racism and discrimination in all forms and is committed to building a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

At AARP, we are committed to empowering people to choose how they live as they age.

♪ ♪ >> Representation matters.

When I was a little girl with dreams to work in the music industry, I looked up to Sylvia Rhone and Cathy Hughes and Debra Lee and Shanti Das.

And so to now be in this seat, it just reminds me of the little girls in little towns like mine who want to dream big.

And so I feel just the responsibility, and it's truly a blessing to be in a position to inspire.

>> We're so pleased and honored to have on "The Chavis Chronicles" Valeisha Butterfield Jones, co-president of the recording industry, the Grammys.

Welcome.

>> Thank you, Dr. Ben.

It is an honor to be here today with you, my longtime friend and mentor.

You are the reason that I'm sitting here today.

So thank you for having me.

>> Well, we're so proud of you.

You've had just a tremendous trajectory from Wilson, North Carolina.

Let's talk about where you were born in eastern North Carolina.

>> I am originally from Wilson, North Carolina.

The eastern part of the state.

Grew up there in the 1980s.

And it was just a wonderful childhood to two wonderful parents.

And early in my life, they instilled in me the importance of hard work, sacrifice, having grit and commitment, but most importantly, keeping God first.

And so that's my home and very proud of it.

>> Where everyone knows your -- You have a very famous father and mother.

Congressman G.K. Butterfield.

And then your mother was also a state elected official.

Talk to me about your parents.

>> Well, you know, I remember as a young child the importance of civic service.

And as early as I can remember, my grandfather was actually the first Black elected official in the eastern part of the state of North Carolina.

So I remember as a child hearing the stories of my grandfather running for public office.

And then eventually my father ran for Superior Court judge in North Carolina and eventually evolved into a United States member of Congress, which he is today.

And same with my mom.

Just the importance of voting, the importance of education, the importance of giving back.

As early as I can remember, you know, we were knocking on doors, talking to people.

We were going to every business that we could to understand the importance of entrepreneurship and access to capital for minority-owned businesses.

And so it's really just instilled in me the importance, again, of giving back running for public office if it's truly in your heart to do it, and then most importantly, doing what's right.

>> Well, you are truly blessed to have that kind of family background and upbringing.

Then you went on to Clark Atlanta, HBCU in Atlanta.

And you also went to North Carolina Central Law School.

>> I did.

>> When I saw you up in Manhattan some time ago, you were really on target, particularly getting women in the entertainment industry.

Talk to us about WEEN.

>> Well, I'll start with Clark Atlanta University.

Our motto at Clark was to "Find a way or make one."

And it's something that has stuck with me for probably the last 24 years since I attended Clark.

And so when I moved to New York City with big dreams to work in the entertainment industry, I remember pounding the pavement, working the phones to just get my way in to an industry that I wanted to be a part of so very much.

And I found my way to Rush Communications Seventh Avenue in New York City.

You were one of the first faces that I saw.

And I remember feeling inspired by you, Doc, because someone from my home state was in New York City doing it at the highest level and doing it with integrity.

And so when I started working for Rush as an unpaid intern and eventually landed a full-time role, you and I were just grinding, creating financial literacy programs for young people, 18-to-35 years old, focused also on voter education, registration, and turnout.

And I realized one day, still just starting out in my career, that it shouldn't have been this hard.

And WEEN, the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network, was started in my one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan with three other friends.

And I remember talking to you one day about why -- my why.

I wanted to just give back and reach back and pull forward for the next generation of emerging women in business.

And so WEEN was born as a nonprofit organization, again, in my apartment in Manhattan, with your blessing and guidance.

And you know, we -- for now almost 15 years -- have inspired and empowered more than 85,000 women to actually work, have active careers in entertainment.

>> 85,000 women... >> Correct.

>> ...have come into the entertainment industry because of WEEN?

>> Yes, in some form or fashion.

>> That's great.

That's a great track record.

>> Thank you.

>> So, listen, you're now at the top of the game, co-president of the recording industry, the Grammys.

Tell us -- I know you also were executive at Google at one time, then you went over.

Tell us about this transition.

>> You know, I remember working for President Obama.

And I worked at his campaign, the Obama for America campaign, as the national youth vote director.

>> So you were a young person working in the White House?

>> That is correct.

And the administration and the Department of Commerce, and then on the Obama for America campaign.

And I remember, you know, President Obama winning the election, and I had a choice of whether I would go back into the second term or pivot.

And I decided then that I wanted to embark on a new chapter for myself, which was tech.

And so I applied for several positions in Big Tech, received a few offers, and eventually landed at Google.

And I led inclusion there for nearly five years.

But I had to remember through that experience my why, and where it all began.

And for me it was in the entertainment industry and realizing the transformative power that music has to change lives.

And so when the Recording Academy announced that they were hiring their first ever in 62 years, at the time, chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer, I was considered for the role and eventually hired by the CEO, Harvey Mason Jr. And now it's been this beautiful, beautiful journey for two years, and appointed as its co-president almost a year ago.

And it has been a true honor and full-circle moment for me.

Again, the power of music to change lives.

The pandemic has been a rough two years.

And to just see the power of music through it all and it kind of being this unspoken language for all of us universally really was the inspiration for me to take on this role.

>> I'm going to dig a little deeper in what the Grammys is doing and what you're doing.

I know throughout the year -- you have an annual event called Grammys on the Hill.

I'm going to get into that.

But I want to ask you one more personal question.

I remember when you were looking for a husband, you had this list.

I said, "This sister, boy, has got a high threshold."

>> [ Laughs ] >> And you found Dahntay Jones, professional basketball player.

Talk to us about your family, and then we'll get back to the Grammys.

>> Well, let's get into that, right?

I think so often, you know, we have these unrealistic time lines on our lives.

You know, at 30 years old -- you were there, Doc.

I remember saying to myself, "I don't have a husband.

I don't have children.

I don't have the big house and the picket fence" that I thought I would have at that age.

And I remember, you know, kind of going through this experience of wanting to have what I believed at the time was a full life.

And now know at 44 years old that the time lines aren't real, and your life is full with or without a mate.

But for sure, when I met Dahntay, my now husband of over 10 years, it was just -- it felt natural.

It felt real, and it felt unlike any other connection I'd ever had.

In my 20s, for sure, I dated, you know, and tried to figure it out, but it wasn't until I got fully secure in myself and who I was -- and whose I was -- that I believe I started to attract people that were more like-minded.

And so, yeah, Dahntay and I have been having a good time.

>> And now you're a working mother.

You have kids.

>> I do.

We have beautiful children.

And it's hard.

You know, I think so often we kind of glamorize being a boss and what it means to have, you know, all of these things in your life.

And it's certainly a blessing and an honor and privilege to be a mom, to be married, to have a career that I enjoy, but is certainly hard work.

And so, you know, people ask me all the time, you know, "How do you find the balance?"

And my answer is that balance doesn't exist.

You just have to prioritize, make tough decisions, and do what's right.

>> The 2022 Grammys.

>> Yes.

>> Talk to us about some of -- I saw all this stuff on social media, even the promo up to the Grammys.

But from your perspective, as co-president of recording, what are some of the highlights of this year's Grammys?

>> Well, I'll first say the Recording Academy, which is most known for the Grammy Awards, is in its 64th year.

And this year's Grammy Awards, that took place for the first time in Las Vegas, was the most diverse and inclusive show in our history.

>> ♪ Freedom to live ♪ >> [ Speaking French ] >> ♪ Go down, Moses ♪ ♪ Way down, Moses ♪ ♪ Go down to every land ♪ >> You saw themes around LGBTQIA+ inclusion.

You also saw accessibility as a big focus with the stage ramp and interpreters as a part of the show.

But you also saw strong representation from our community, the Black music community, throughout that program.

And so there were amazing artists that were recognized for the first time.

You saw performances by amazing people that were just groundbreaking and historic, and so it felt magical to see so many artists get their flowers and the recognition that they deserve because they truly do the work year 'round.

>> Well, I'm sure your presence as co-president of the Academy helped to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Because of your history of leading women into the entertainment industry, how would you assess -- overall, now, not just the recording industry but overall the entertainment industry -- are there doors opening for women of color and for all women?

>> Doors are definitely opening for women and women of color, but we're also kicking those doors down.

Nope, we're no longer waiting for a seat at the table.

We're now assuming our -- >> Kicking doors down.

>> Kicking doors down, taking our rightful seat where we belong.

And so I think, for me, it's been important to make sure that not only is my presence felt, but I'm actually driving systemic change.

And so there were things like an inclusion rider that we created in partnership with Color of Change that we implemented this year for the first time for the Grammy Awards production, because one day we won't be here.

And so my goal is to make sure that what we're doing is actually systemic and driving change in a real and tangible and measurable way.

And so for sure, we are, as women, kicking those doors down.

You're seeing more and more, more and more of us in leadership positions, but we still have a long way to go.

>> What's your message to Generation Z and millennials in terms of opportunities in the recording industry?

>> I would say the first is to recognize it's not a level playing field yet.

We have to be honest about the environment that we're in and a part of.

But then we also have to move with a sense of urgency and intentionality.

So often I think that we assume that those roles that weren't designed for us can't be transformed and changed.

And so for me, whenever I see an obstacle or something that perhaps has been traditionally for men or male dominated, I see it as actually an opportunity for me to take on that challenge and make it what it should be, which is more representative.

And so my advice would be to not wait, you know, assume your position, whatever that may be, and truly follow your dreams because they're for you and they're meant for you, and it's up to us to make them happen.

>> Well, you're a living example of one who started as an intern without pay, to now being the co-boss of the recording industry.

Tell us about some of the programs.

What happened when you went up on Capitol Hill this year with Grammys on the Hill?

I know that's an annual event.

And I think you also gave out awards.

>> Yes, so we're in D.C. for Grammys on the Hill.

And while the Recording Academy is most known for the Grammy Awards, the other 364 days of the year, Doc, we do a lot of great work.

So you have a Grammy -- the Grammy Museum, focused on the preservation of music.

>> Where is the museum located?

>> We have museums in L.A. and we're expanding across the country, but L.A. is the main flagship.

We also have MusiCares, so an amazing health and human services organization that even during the pandemic was able to distribute over $25 million to creators in need.

And then we also have our amazing advocacy department, which is why I'm in D.C. today.

It's called Grammys on the Hill.

And this week and throughout the year, we advocate for music creators, for creators rights, to really make sure that we're showing up on Capitol Hill and at the state level across the country to advocate for creators, not just the big stars that you see on your screen, but also music creators at the local level -- your mom-and-pop record shops and all of those creators, engineers, producers and writers behind the scenes to make sure that they, too, have equity.

>> You know, there was a debate a couple of decades ago whether or not entrepreneur opportunities were available to people of color in the recording industry.

Everybody knows we have great talent, we are creative, but the business side of our creativity -- what's your observation about the entrepreneur opportunities for people to own their own businesses relative to the entertainment industry?

>> Well, my mentor and your good friend Kevin Liles, always says, and I agree with it, "I'm not in the music business.

I'm in the business of music," meaning there are so many opportunities, thousands of jobs and roles behind the scenes that you don't always hear about.

And so for sure there are sound engineers, writers, producers, so many people involved in the creative process.

And then certainly for those independent artists and kind of music labels that are just coming up, you see so many creators on TikTok, for example, and on YouTube that are businesses, right, full-blown entrepreneurs who are driving revenue and able to make an income.

But you also have those professionals behind the scenes that are not getting fair pay.

And so it's up to us as individuals working in these roles to make sure that we're doing our job, to make sure that we're leveling the playing field, creating equitable outcomes for everyone and every person working in the music industry, in that, you know, craft that we enjoy so much, making sure that they too are getting compensated fairly for the work that they put in.

>> Whenever we have women leaders on "The Chavis Chronicles," since Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is now on the Supreme Court, I always ask this question -- What was the impact of going up to now the Supreme Court of the United States?

>> Oh, my goodness.

So often I think we take for granted what it means to truly have and see Black women in leadership positions like the justice.

I mean, I remember the day that it was announced, just tears streaming down my face and feeling so inspired still that it was possible, right, that we now live in a world where we can have a Black woman as a Supreme Court justice.

And this is just the beginning.

There are so many spaces, and I truly believe that not only should we occupy, but we should spread the word and share the news.

So that's why, for "Chavis Chronicles," I thank you, Doc, for amplifying our voices to showing young Black girls across the nation and across the world that it is possible for us to have big dreams and make them happen now.

And so, you know, the work has just begun.

The mission continues.

And for the little Black girl in me from Wilson, North Carolina, I feel like I'm just getting started.

And so I'm excited about what the future holds and for the justice.

I just want to say to her, thank you.

Because of her, we know it is possible.

>> So you have two sons?

>> Yes.

>> Two young Black boys.

>> Yes.

>> As a mother, are you concerned about what is going on with young Black males in America?

Sometimes not just the contradictions, but sometimes the dangers.

>> Of course.

As a mom of two Black sons, I've already had the conversation that we all have as Black women to our boys around, you know, what happens if we get pulled over by police?

How do we respond?

Or if you're on the playground and you know, someone kind of antagonizes you or bullies you, how do you respond?

You know, my sons are four and nine years old, and still I've had the conversation.

And it's not to scare them, but it's to prepare them for the reality of what it means to be a Black man in America.

And it's heartbreaking.

I'm definitely concerned, but I'm also optimistic.

You know, I believe that things are changing.

Unfortunately, because of the murder of George Floyd and so many others, there's a greater sense of awareness and visibility around the brutality that our community has been experiencing for decades and centuries now.

And because of that, I'm hopeful that things will change, but we also have to do the work to make sure that it does.

And so leadership positions like mine and like yours and anyone watching, we can't waste the seat.

We have a responsibility now to drive change from the inside out of the organizations that we're a part of and the culture that we we are part of to make sure that we're doing our part to make sure that change happens.

And if not, we can't allow this to continue on our watch.

>> That's a great segue.

I want to ask you now -- Your father has announced that he is retiring after many years as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, member of Congress representing, what is it, District One... >> Yes.

>> ...in North Carolina in the Congress of the United States.

And I know a lot of people -- I would see so many calls say, "Well, is Valeisha going to run?

Is Valeisha going to take her father's seat."

But I know now you're a co-president of the Grammys, so I'm asking you, what are your -- you're already at the top of your game.

What are your future ambitions?

>> Well, I don't know what the future holds, but I definitely feel like I'm just getting started.

And so I'm not sure yet whether I will run for office, but the possibility is not off the table.

But I'm enjoying where I am.

I have a lot of work left to do.

I've been with the Academy now for two years, and we're just getting started.

I truly embrace the present and believe that I have a true sense of purpose and responsibility where I am now.

But I'm not done, Doc.

So let's see how it all unfolds.

>> You're still intending to knock down some more doors?

>> Yes, I have a few more doors left in me to knock down, for sure.

>> So the final question is simply this -- We live in a world that's still somewhat polarized.

You know, the majority of the world's population still faces hunger.

The inequities.

So what I want to ask you, Valeisha Butterfield Jones, is, from your career and from your informed perspective, what is your outlook?

Do communities of color, do people of color, do we have a greater chance?

'Cause I detected in our interview today a sense of optimism.

What informs your optimism for people of color?

>> Well, what informs my optimism for our community, for people of color and specifically for the Black community is the collective power that we have.

If you look at our buying power collectively as a community, if you look at Black women being the highest-educated group of any group, if you think about Black women entrepreneurs being the fastest group of entrepreneurs.

If you also look at our voter turnout among Black women.

>> Yes.

>> If you think about how rich and valuable we are as a community, I'm optimistic because of exactly that.

And so when I think of the inequities, when I think of the lack of access to capital, when I think of the outcomes that you see year over year and time over time that are disproportionate because of all of the factors that we talked about in this interview, I'm optimistic and hopeful because I believe the more we see people, right, that we trust who look like us in positions of power, the more you're going to see systemic change.

And so I'm hopeful that through conversations like this, but then more importantly tomorrow, rolling up our sleeves, taking off the fancy suits and getting down to the business of our community, we're going to see change and we're going to see it accelerate.

And so I'm hopeful, I'm excited.

I take this responsibility that I have so very seriously, and I won't rest until we get the work done.

>> When we first started working together, a theme of our working together was taking back responsibility.

>> Yes.

>> Giving back to the community.

I see you are still giving back.

>> Yes.

I won't stop.

Can't stop, won't stop.

>> Valeisha Butterfield Jones, thank you so much for joining "The Chavis Chronicles."

>> Thank you, Doc.

It is an honor to know you.

It's an honor to consider you as family to me, and whenever you call, I answer.

So thank you for all that you're doing on "Chavis Chronicles," and I can't wait to see you again soon.

>> Thank you.

>> Thank you.

>> For more information about "The Chavis Chronicles" and our guests, please visit our website at TheChavisChronicles.com.

Also, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

Major funding for "The Chavis Chronicles" is provided by the following.

At Wells Fargo, we are committed to diversity and understand our responsibility in supporting and empowering diverse communities.

Diversity and inclusion is integral to the way we work.

Supporting the financial health of our diverse customers and employees is one of the many ways we remain invested in inclusion for all today, tomorrow, and in the future.

American Petroleum Institute -- through the core elements of API's Energy Excellence Program, our members are committed to accelerating safety, environmental and sustainability progress throughout the natural-gas and oil industry in the U.S. and around the world.

You can learn more at api.org/apiEnergyExcellence.

Reynolds American, dedicated to building a better tomorrow for our employees and communities.

Reynolds stands against racism and discrimination in all forms and is committed to building a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

At AARP, we are committed to empowering people to choose how they live as they age.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪