Keywords
Community music; Central Florida music scene; Black working-class musicians; Counter-storytelling; Cultural democracy; Music sociology
Abstract
Black working-class musicians have shaped American popular culture for centuries. Despite their contributions, they have faced decades of marginalization and exploitation by record companies, executives, and consumers. While systems of exploitation affect musicians of all backgrounds, Black working-class musicians are in a double bind, susceptible to both economic and social exploitation. Musicians who live within the subdominant groups of race, gender, and class frequently face obstacles that place them at a disadvantage. Through semi-structured interviews, the research draws on the lived experiences of Black working-class musicians in Central Florida. I argue that community music serves as a vital resource, offering Black working-class musicians access to opportunities that help mitigate social inequalities prevalent in the music industry. The following research questions are explored: (1) How do Black working-class musicians use community music to navigate systems of inequality in music spaces and the music industry? (2) What are the measurable levels of impact that community music has on Black-working class musicians? (3) How can local institutions, organizations, or communities use community music as a tool for social mobility and/or community development? Community music is an act of resistance against the institutionalization and privatization of music-making. Black working-class musicians have thrived when participating in community-based structures. By harnessing the potential of community music as an organizational tool, we empower musicians to navigate these structures while extending access to resources for marginalized Black populations. This approach represents a powerful response to the pressing issue of social inequality in the world of music.
Thesis Completion Year
2025
Thesis Completion Semester
Spring
Thesis Chair
Gaines, Leah
College
College of Undergraduate Studies
Department
Interdisciplinary Studies
Thesis Discipline
Interdisciplinary Studies
Language
English
Access Status
Campus Access
Length of Campus Access
5 years
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
Destine, Katia, "Community Music, Counter-stories, and Social Inequality in Central Florida's Music Spaces" (2025). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 279.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/279
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