The year of 2020 has brought the entertainment industry a slew of obstacles to overcome. However, the revived digital era we are living through — due to the pandemic — has paved the way for technological innovations to keep the industry going.

Of many tech trends that have popped up in the music world this year, a new virtual program — introduced by famed American musician Ray Chew, and his wife major entertainment executive Vivian Scott Chew — is building up the future for aspiring music creators and business leaders.

Through their Power 2 Inspire Foundation — an organization committed to helping young aspiring music creators and industry leaders rise to their highest self — the Chews launched an all-virtual summer mentorship and internship program this month, which is believed to be the first of its kind for the entertainment industry.

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The program was originally set to launch last month with 10 interns, but the pandemic pivoted it to turn into an all-virtual effort which encouraged them to accept even more mentees.

“We were inspired to create the program after receiving so many inquiries from young people who were looking for access and opportunity to learn and to receive guidance with their career paths,” the two said.

According to the Chews, the Power 2 Inspire internship program — a four-week program that currently hosts 25 interns/mentees — aims to recruit “young people with a thirst and passion to learn from the best we have to offer.”

Though the foundation fully supports young people of all diverse backgrounds, it was called on to show up for the Black Lives Matter movement this year so they extended the application process exclusively to Black and Brown young people between the ages of 18-24.

“The goal is to produce the next generation of powerhouse music executives and hit making singers, songwriters, musicians and producers,” said the Chews. “We want our young people to enter into the world not only knowledgeable about their career paths but also as polished, respectful global citizens.”

The program offers interns the option to choose from three different career lanes, including the music industry, singer/songwriter and musician/producer.

Moreover, it enlists the help of 75 mentors — who hail from countries like Germany, France, Japan, South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria — that include digital strategists, marketers and content creators.

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The internship also holds a “Heavy Hitters Fridays” Q&A series that has already hosted the likes of legendary artists MC Lyte and George Clinton.

By granting mentees access to up close and personal interactions with their mentors, the internship program serves a dual purpose of fostering industry relationships and developing skills to nurture fruitful careers in the future.

“We are truly giving a full 360 degree view of the music industry as a whole,” the Chews shared. “We want our music creators to know as much about the business of being in this industry as the instruction they will receive as singers, songwriters, musicians, and producers.”

Along with its internship program, the foundation plans to launch its Power 2 Inspire Master Class series in the fall via YouTube until in-person sessions can resume.

The Power 2 Inspire Foundation will also be “partnering with corporate sponsors to offer scholarships for young people to continue their education and assist with paying their college loans,” the Chews shared.

For more information on Power 2 Inspire Foundation and its programs, click here.

Editorial note: This article has been updated and revised.

Ray Chew

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