Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1538144
Advocacy Through the Game Audio Diversity Alliance The Mission of GADA You are a core member of the Game Audio Diversity Alliance, serving as Fundraising Chair. For those unfamil- iar, can you tell us more about GADA's mission and what inspired you to get involved? CAG: The Game Audio Diversity Alliance is a nonprofit dedicated to increasing educational and professional opportunities for underrepresented voices in game audio. We've provided mentorships, funded education at the School of Video Game Audio, and offered passes with stipends to industry events like GDC and GameSoundCon. Monet Gardiner, who I had worked with on Halo Infinite, invited me to join. Back in 2020, we had formed an online community for Black professionals in sound, but that eventually fizzled out. A few years later, when she told me about this organization she and a few others had built, I jumped at the chance to help out in any way I could. And just to mention, anything I say is not a reflection of GADA or my place of work. I'm speaking as my own person. Mentorship and Inclusion How does your advocacy work inform or influence your professional approach to team collaboration and Fundraising Chair if I didn't mention that. We're only able to continue these programs thanks to the support of individual donors, as well as corporate partners like Kiloheart with their plug- ins. You can find information on how to get involved or donate on our website. www.gameaudiodiversityalliance.org. Advice for Newcomers What advice would you give to someone from an underrepresented background looking to break into game audio? CAG: I'd say just keep at it. I've only been in the industry since 2017, to a certain extent, and the amount of diversity I've seen at conferences has grown significantly. I'm sure those who have been around even longer than that can attest to that fact. There's room at the table for you, and there are people rooting you on. What advice would you give to someone who wants to be more involved in advocacy or who wants to give back? CAG: Advocacy can be done in a multitude of different ways. You just have to take that first step and find what works for you. Some folks like working directly one-on-one to provide coaching and mentorship. Others may feel like they don't have personal free time for something consistent but can contribute in other ways, like providing studio tours to those just starting their careers or donating to organizations that are already doing the kind of advocacy they support. I'd just say that if you've ever felt like you've been supported or mentored in your professional journey, you should try to pay that forward in a way that's meaningful to you. Looking Ahead What's Next for Game Music Are there any trends in interactive music systems, middleware, or audio tech that you're particularly excited about right now? CAG: I feel like, at least for the types of Caption? mentorship? CAG: I'd say that it's made me really inspired to be as open as possible in my work. I don't interact with the scholars as much as others who may be part of the scholarship or mentorship committees, but getting to see our scholars form a community with each other, openly share information, ask questions, and give and receive feedback reminds me how easily some issues can be solved if you're willing to share and be in conversation with others. Measurable Impact What impact have you seen from GADA's programs, and how can others get involved or support its mission? CAG: Because I work on fundraising, I think I'm acutely aware of how much our scholarships mean to students. They all have the drive and skill to succeed. We've paired scholars with mentors who still provide support beyond the official GADA timeline, and we've seen scholars go on to fully join the industry. For those wanting to get involved, there are a variety of ways to do so. We're always looking for folks to join our committees, as we're currently a small team of volunteers. There are opportunities to be a mentor to our scholars who attend the School of Video Game Audio and to those attending conferences. And of course, donations are always helpful. I wouldn't be the 38 M PS E . O R G GADA members, mentors, and scholars at Gamesoundcon (© all rights reserved The Game Audio Diversity Alliance).