Today we’d like to introduce you to Valencia Neptune.
Hi Valencia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Originally from Montgomery, AL, I received my Bachelor’s of Music in voice and performance from UAB and Master’s of Music in voice and opera from USC. I’ve always been a lover of music and earned many awards and scholarships for talent and excellence. However, the journey has not always been easy. Participating in a major and in extracurricular activities that elevated my white peers, I started to feel like I didn’t belong. I soon realized more often then not I was the “token” of diversity in the group. It took determination, passion and courage to face the judgments, criticism, and biases that the music field offered as well as just the everyday struggle of being a Black Woman in America. I’d been overlooked many times because of my gender and skin color.
As an avid participant in the music industry, it’s no secret that biases towards women, especially minority women is common practice. I created So Am I-Worthy to elevate women, especially Black Indigenous Women of Color (BIWOC) singer-songwriters. Coming from a marginalized community I understand the financial struggle and lack of access to certain resources. To learn a music skill it takes money, time, effort and networks, it’s hard.
I created So Am I-Worthy for women first to have a safe space to do music and express themselves freely. I created So Am I-Worthy to open doors and alleviate the emotional and financial burdens women in music face regularly. We accomplish this by providing paid music gig opportunities, music networks, music deals and music empowerment. I’ve gotten to where I am today by the grace of God and choosing to live with no regrets. By faith, I travel the world, live courageously and passionately and can’t wait to see what else life has in store.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have definitely been struggles along the way and to this day they continue to arise. I tend to take them head on knowing I have God on my side helping me get through it all. That being said, one major struggle is the lack of opportunities available to Black women. It can be so hard to get your foot in the door. Having that initial investor meeting, gaining traction and acquiring that circle of people who believe in what you are doing and support you emotionally, verbally and financially. In the music industry alone according to Billboard’s report in 2021, “only 14.4% of songwriters were women. This number has also not changed significantly over time, with women making up just 12.7% of the songwriters evaluated across the 10 years studied, resulting in a ratio of 6.8 men to every one woman songwriter.” I have had many people question my career path and my choices, and that can be truly detrimental to my confidence if allowed.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
So Am I-Worthy is an indie record label and artist development company geared towards highlighting and elevating female singer-songwriters, with a strong focus on Black Indigenous Women of Color. Established in 2017 and revamped in February 2022, we have established so many wonderful relationships and encouraged so many women in music. Our primary music genres are Gospel, Contemporary Christian and Inspirational music. What sets us apart from others is that we are fully digital and we are an indie label that does things a bit differently. We are so passionate about community service and supporting women that many people think we are a nonprofit.
We offer VIP memberships for women singer-songwriters really trying to take their career to the next level, the membership includes music lessons, mentor sessions, event tickets, email support from our team and much more. And let’s not forget about the music we will be releasing in the coming years. Our audience can follow So Am I-Worthy right now on Spotify to be in the know for when new music drops. One of our proudest moments is when So Am I-Worthy was awarded “Most Empowering Female-Owned Christian Record Label 2022”. We are so happy that our hard work to empower and uplift women did not go unnoticed.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can work with us in many ways:
1) Taking Voice, Guitar & Songwriting Lessons
2) Joining our all-female facebook group for singer-songwriters and creatives : https://www.facebook.com/
3) Attending a SAI-W Event (Open Mic, Networking, Brunches, etc.)
4) Hiring us to find female talent for showcase, event, and meetings
5) Becoming a Sponsor
6) Spreading the word
Lastly, we also have a crowdfunding campaign available for people wanting to support So Am I-Worthy’s vision. Rewards available with every purchase.
https://ifundwomen.com/projects/creating-music-industry-full-color
Pricing:
- VIP Membership $325
- Music Lessons $85 per Hour
- Music Lessons $40 per Half Hour
- Monthly Membership $24.99
Contact Info:
- Website: www.soamiworthy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soamiworthy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soamiworthy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@soamiworthy
- Other: https://ifundwomen.com/projects/creating-music-industry-full-color
Image Credits
Vincent Li Sun Davina Knibbs Joanna Garcia
