The Black Women’s Brilliance Brunch, hosted by the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective and Los Angeles Chapter and presented by City National Bank, honored music, legacy and financial empowerment. Held at the W Hotel in Hollywood in April, the event championed community with inspirational and actionable insights.
Whether you came for the beats of DJ Domo Wells, mixing Doechii and Left Eye with timeless R&B, or for the soul-stirring performance by GRAMMY winner and Academy trustee Ledisi, there was something to take home. Ledisi’s performance of "Alright" and her latest release "BLKWMN," set to a video montage of Black women icons produced by Tyler Perry, perfectly captured the spirit of the day, while Wells — a former music and culture lead at Spotify’s Frequency and now creative director for the Washington Spirit — embodied just how expansive music careers can be.
The centerpiece of the event was a fireside chat between Kelley Purcell, VP of Membership and Industry Relations at the Recording Academy, and Denise Colletta, Senior VP and Head of Music Entertainment at City National Bank. The two leaders offered advice uniquely tailored to Black music professionals, yet their discussion was full of insights anyone could use to take ownership of their financial future.
Colletta has decades of hands-on experience guiding music professionals through financial systems that don’t always accommodate nontraditional careers. She began her journey as a bank teller and now leads a team that’s secured over $45 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans for music industry clients. Her advice was direct, down-to-earth, and deeply attuned to the realities creatives face, offering practical tools to help artists, managers, and producers build stability on their terms.
From the brunch to the beats, the event celebrated the full spectrum of Black women’s contributions to music and underscored how financial literacy can support and sustain those creative paths. Whether you’re just getting started or thinking about your next move, here are a few takeaways from the Black Women’s Brilliance Brunch.
Don't Blow Your First Big Check
Denise Colletta urged artists to think long-term; rather than spending immediately, use that check to protect your future self. "Put money aside for taxes," she stressed. "The IRS will come."
Colletta also encouraged creators to set aside money for fixed expenses, build an emergency fund with a six-month goal (and eventually a year), and understand that the lump sum isn’t consistent. "Life throws lovely little curves along the way," Colletta added.
Knowledge Is Power — And Protection
Expanding your team is part of growth, but it's not a reason to check out. "Even if you hire an attorney, you should be reading your contracts," Colletta said. Knowing the business side of the music business, or any business, doesn’t just keep you safe — it also earns you respect.
Colletta encouraged attendees to get a solid CPA, keep thorough documentation, and ensure everyone’s contributions are clearly defined before stepping into the studio or any work begins.
Be The CFO Of Your Life
Colletta emphasized the importance of discipline. "Look at your money every week," she said. It’s not about fear — it’s about curiosity. She shared the example of a successful client who blocks off 30 minutes to an hour every weekend to review everything from assets to insurance policies. You don’t need to be a financial expert, but you should be fluent in your own numbers.
Saving And Investing Are Not The Same
Colletta’s financial tips were grounded in real-life application. First, ensure your basic expenses are covered and protected — she mentioned putting those funds in low-risk vehicles like money market accounts or treasuries. Once that’s locked in, you can begin to take calculated risks. And don’t overlook home ownership: "A house is a great investment," she noted, adding that City National Bank has dedicated programs for aspiring homebuyers in the music industry.
Access To Capital Takes Patience And Planning
"Banks are often required to lend only to profitable businesses," Colletta explained, "but there are workarounds." She pointed to programs like SBA loans for startups and reminded attendees that getting capital often takes multiple rounds of funding. While banks typically look for at least two years of profitability, knowing your options and regulations can open doors.
Building Business Credit Is A Slow Climb, So Start Now
Start with a business credit card and prove you can borrow and repay responsibly. From there, you can work toward securing a working capital line of credit for short-term needs or a term loan for more permanent purposes. Just be sure your financing aligns with your income stream. "You don’t want to be in the wrong product," Colletta warned.