PRESENTATION - GRAMMY 101
Featured Speakers:
Qiana Conley Akinro - Senior Executive Director of
Qiana Conley Akinro began in music in 1999 at Epic Records in Promotions/A&R while contributing to album projects by Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and B2K and then as Director of Creative/A&R, Television and Film, she worked for publishers Notting Hill Music Publishing (UK) and ole (Canada) and with Simon Cowell's record labels SYCO Records/Sony Music on albums for One Direction, Cher Lloyd and Alexandra Burke. She quickly became known amongst her peers for her innovative curation of the catalogues and talent roster across genres, media platforms, and music markets.
In 2011, Conley Akinro founded cue the creatives where she began Music Supervising on projects such as Nickelodeon's How To Rock, Lifetime's holiday feature Seasons of Love starring Taraji P. Henson, Gladys Knight & Method Man, Lionsgate’s release Public Disturbance and currently on Freeform/OWN/Hulu’s The Hair Tales, Showtime’s Flatbush Misdemeanors and Lil Kev on BET+. Also working as Music Supervisor on indie features premiering at festivals like Urbanworld (She's Got A Plan), Pan-African Film Festival (The Muhammad Ali story entitled The Last Punch), Blackstar Film Festival (1 Angry Black Man), and the Moscow International Film Festival (Puk Grasten's debut film 37 starring Orange Is The New Black's, Samira Wiley). She believes strongly in bringing quality music soundscapes to films of all artistic outreach regardless of budget demands and continues to support opportunities for women in music licensing as a founding member of the collective Black Women In Media Collective (BWMC) of fellow music supervisors and studio/network executives in music licensing. In 2014, Conley Akinro expanded into executive producing film, TV and live events including the Co-Creating/Co-Producing the Blackout Music and Film Festival with Ryan Coogler's Blackout for Human Rights Organization. In 2015, she began producing/directing "The Untitled TLC Documentary," which follows the journey back to the music for the iconic pop girl group, after a 20-year lapse, as they take on the challenges of making their final album. The film offers a unique look at these groundbreaking women who are set on doing it all on their own. Additionally, she served four years as Governor plus two terms in the Los Angeles Chapter Board Secretary position of the GRAMMYs’ parent entity, the Recording Academy®. Her volunteer service also currently includes sitting on the Board for GirlTrek, the preeminent voice on Black Women’s Health reaching over 1 million subscribers. In 2018, Conley Akinro became the Executive Director of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Recording Academy/GRAMMYS, working with some of today’s most influential music creators and professionals in guiding event programming, membership & board engagement. As Senior Executive Director, Los Angeles, Conley Akinro also oversees national & local advocacy campaigns for the largest chapter of the Academy’s membership body through partnerships with GRAMMYS on the Hill, MusiCares and the GRAMMY Museum Foundation.
Anngela Hanks - Senior Manager of the
Anngela Hanks emerges as a luminary figure in the entertainment industry, boasting over a decade of visionary leadership. Originating from Chicago, her journey spans the dynamic landscapes of Baltimore, New York City, Washington, D.C., and presently, Los Angeles, CA. Beginning as an intern for the Recording Academy’s Washington, D.C. Chapter and advancing to pivotal roles at Jive Records (currently known as RCA) A&R department and Live Nation's esteemed clubs and theatre division, to Washington, D.C.’s Entertainment Agency and circling back to the Recording Academy, Anngela's trajectory is marked by remarkable achievements.
Her impactful tenure with Washington, D.C.’s Entertainment Agency crystallized with the production of landmark events like DC's Emancipation Day, an annual concert for Washington, D.C. residents along with numerous other major city events, seamlessly merging entertainment and music to craft unforgettable experiences. Following her tenure with the District Government Anngela returned to the Recording Academy where her passion for politics and entertainment collided with the production of GRAMMYs on the Hill, an awards dinner honoring influential artists and congressional members who advocate for legislation that supports the music and entertainment community. With a unique blend of scientific expertise, holding degrees in biology and a master's degree in epidemiology, public health, alongside an unwavering passion for music, Anngela's approach to production is unparalleled. Her entrepreneurial endeavor, with Behind The Scenes, an entertainment event production company further underscores her commitment to innovative event curation, setting the stage for captivating experiences.
Currently at the Recording Academy’s. Los Angeles Chapter, Anngela's role as Sr. Manager continues to redefine industry standards. From producing the Los Angeles Chapter signature Nominee Celebration that has featured live performances by GRAMMY winners Robert Glasper, Gaby Moreno, and Jordin Sparks, to producing groundbreaking social media campaigns like GRAMMYs Bridges The Gaps, her work exemplifies a fusion of organizational finesse and creative vision. Anngela Hanks epitomizes a trailblazer. Seamlessly uniting the realms of entertainment and science, shaping the future of event production with unparalleled dedication and ingenuity.