From the Bronx to the Capitol: Activism, Policy and the Fight for Justice

The Stiletto Room

When Prophet speaks, entire rooms shift. From being slammed to the ground by police at just 13 years old to becoming the co-founder and president of the Black Music Action Coalition, Prophet has spent his life turning trauma into transformation. In this episode of The Stiletto Room, I sit down with Prophet to trace his journey—from grabbing a megaphone in the Bronx to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

We talk about everything: battling Reverend Butts over rap lyrics, hearing Al Sharpton call him into action, and why Senator Raphael Warnock remembered him decades later. We dive into the fight to pass the Restoring Artistic Protection Act, how BMAC holds the music industry accountable with report cards and receipts, and why changing laws is the only way to change lives.

This one isn’t just an interview, it’s a blueprint for activism, resilience, and using your voice like your life depends on it. Because sometimes it actually does.

About Prophet

Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, lifelong activist and co-founder, CEO, and President of the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC). BMAC formed as a unified force of action for racial equity and justice within the music industry and to use the power of our collective voice to improve communities and drive systemic change. BMAC advocates on behalf of Black artists, songwriters, producers, managers, agents, executives, lawyers, and other passionate industry professionals and represents 200+ music managers and industry professionals that constitute 65 percent of the highest-grossing artists in music. Under Prophet’s leadership, BMAC is committed to holding the music business accountable and creating new pipelines of access and opportunity for the next generation. Subsequently, Prophet has been named one of Billboard’s Power Players for two consecutive years and received accolades from the Associated Press (AP) and the New York Times. Additionally, Prophet has executive produced the BMAC Gala for the past four years, led multiple panels and legislative conferences, and formed a working group and active coalition around the Restoring Artistic Protection Act (RAP Act). Prophet has also established close relationships with numerous organizations, including the Academy of Country Music, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Recording Academy, the Black Music Collective, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Songwriters of North America, SAG-AFTRA, and Save The Music. Prophet has dedicated his life to bridging the gap between entertainment, music, and activism. As a music manager, Prophet’s mission has been to work with and represent talent who want to elevate the culture and use their platform to make a positive impact on this world.

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