Universal Music Group and the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music have announced a game-changing collaboration to establish the Berry Gordy Music Industry Scholarship—an endowed fund honoring the groundbreaking legacy of Berry Gordy, founder of Motown and one of the most influential architects of modern music. This new initiative doesn’t just celebrate the past; it’s a powerful investment in the future of the music industry.

Through this scholarship, Universal Music Group (UMG) and UCLA aim to break down barriers for high-potential students in the university’s Music Industry Program—especially those with financial need—helping them pursue careers in music business, leadership, and creative entrepreneurship.

Berry Gordy reshaped the global soundscape when he launched Motown, Tamla Records, and a string of hitmakers that still influence music today. His contributions went far beyond commercial success; Gordy’s work elevated Black artistry and culture to new heights, creating a blueprint for generations of creators.

By establishing this scholarship, UMG and UCLA are not only paying tribute to his lasting influence but creating opportunities for students to follow in his footsteps—equipped with the knowledge, access, and support needed to succeed.

Each year, a promising student will be selected as a Berry Gordy Scholar and receive financial support for tuition, housing, and other educational needs. But the scholarship is more than financial assistance—it comes with mentorship, leadership development, and involvement in the Berry Gordy Music Industry Center, which launched at UCLA in 2024.

This scholarship is a cornerstone of UMG’s Sounds of the Future initiative—a campaign launched by the company’s Task Force for Meaningful Change. Its mission? To amplify Black creativity, support cultural heritage, and make sure tomorrow’s music industry is more equitable and inclusive than ever.

The Gordy scholarship aligns with the “Invest” pillar of the initiative, focusing on long-term support for schools, institutions, and community-led programs dedicated to nurturing the next generation of creative leaders.

In the words of UMG Chairman & CEO Sir Lucian Grainge:

“Through this scholarship, UMG is honoring [Berry Gordy’s] enduring legacy by investing in a new generation… who will reflect the innovation and entrepreneurial genius that Mr. Gordy helped bring to the world through Motown.”

Berry Gordy himself added:

“The center provides vital opportunities for students at UCLA to help prepare for careers in the music industry, so that future generations of young talent will continue to innovate, inspire and bring together culture and communities through the power of music.”

UCLA’s Acting Dean of the School of Music, Robert Fink, also emphasized the significance of this partnership:

“This endowment ensures that the next generation of music executives, artists, and entrepreneurs will not only be inspired by Berry Gordy’s legacy of innovation but also equipped to build on it.”

Scholarship recipients will be chosen based on academic merit and demonstrated financial need. Beyond funding, scholars will be deeply engaged in the work of the Gordy Center—helping shape programming, events, and strategic direction as part of a real-world learning environment.

UMG’s work with UCLA is only one facet of its broader 2025 Sounds of the Future program. This year, the initiative expanded its reach and ambition:

These efforts don’t just speak to corporate responsibility—they reflect a larger philosophy: that preserving and progressing Black creativity isn’t a side initiative. It’s central to the soul of the music industry.

The Berry Gordy Music Industry Scholarship is a tangible example of what meaningful change looks like—real funding, real opportunity, and real collaboration between education and industry.

In a cultural moment when the music business is being reshaped by streaming, AI, and shifting gatekeepers, giving young people access to tools, mentors, and pathways is essential. This partnership makes sure that innovation doesn’t just come from the top down—but from every corner of the culture.

Learn more about the program by visiting The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. To explore UMG’s Sounds of the Future campaign, visit Universal Music Group.