When the Recording Academy announced its new membership class for 2021, it included a couple of names which should be familiar to the Converge family. 

Besa Gordon and Shaina Shepherd are among the newest inductees into the academy, whose membership votes on the Grammy Awards and helps to create programs through the MusiCares foundation, among other things. They’re both excited to represent Black artists in the process. 

“There's such a huge, beautiful, creative wave that's happening in the Black arts community here in Washington,” Shepherd said. “There's so much support and so much inspiration going around.”

Shepherd, a local artist who is quickly gaining notoriety, hopes to contribute an appreciation for the eclectic music scene in Seattle, which she says is unique and features a lot of exciting innovation. 

Gordon is ready to make a difference for the artists she supports on her radio shows on KUBE 93.3 in Seattle and JAM’N 107.5 in Portland, Oregon, as well the Rewind with Besa show, which she hosts on Converge platforms.

“I'm just really excited to see what I will have at my fingertips and how I can actually help artists in the Pacific Northwest,” Gordon said. “I just want to find a way to get our artists noticed and see how the Recording Academy can help.”

Gordon and Shepherd both share a passion for the local community and music scene, which comes through in their excitement to join the academy. They were also both a little surprised to get the call. Although nominations took place at the beginning of the year, Shepherd still was a little stunned. 

“I was definitely surprised. I mean, I haven't produced very many bodies of work thus far in my career. I'm very new artist. I was like, what's going on?” Shepherd said. Though having only three releases currently on Spotify, Shepherd’s been working in the Seattle music scene for a while and recently sang the national anthem at the Mariners Juneteenth celebration.

Gordon was equally modest.

“It's really dope to be recognized only like two and a half years into my radio career and be a Recording Academy member,” Gordon said. “I think it’s still setting in.”

Although she’s only been on air for two and a half years, Gordon has been in the industry for over a decade. She began 11 years ago as an entertainment blogger at SeaSpot Media Group before working on the KUBE 93.3 street team to get her foot in the door.

Both women will join the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Recording Academy of Arts and Sciences. They say they are excited to bring their experiences as Black women and music industry professionals to a position which traditionally lacks diverse viewpoints. 

“It will be dope to have more Black people be a part of the PNW [chapter of the] Recording Academy,” Gordon said. “It should make it more of a representation for the artists out here that are coming up.”

Shepherd and Gordon both know that the platforms they have worked tirelessly to build have given them this additional influence, and they understand the duty which now falls on their shoulders. 

“I'm really excited about the community work and the connections that the Grammys can make with a lot of the organizations that are bringing artists to the resources that they need to make their voices heard,” Shepherd said. “The Grammys are an incredible amplifier.”