SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (APRIL 29, 2026) – The Recording Academy®'s President Panos A. Panay will travel to Nairobi, Kenya, on May 26 to May 29, 2026, for an official meeting with His Excellency President William Ruto. Panay's visit is supported by the U.S. Department of State's Arts Envoy Program, which engages leading American arts professionals to foster international collaboration and advance cultural diplomacy initiatives.
As part of the Recording Academy's broader global expansion efforts to support and elevate creative economies, Panay and President Ruto will explore specific opportunities in Kenya. The visit will also include meetings with senior government leaders focused on talent development, industry infrastructure and international market access. These are key priorities in positioning Kenya as a gateway for amplifying Africa's presence in the global music ecosystem. Panay will also meet with leading artists and music industry leaders to exchange views on expanding opportunities and establishing a stronger footprint for the global music industry in Africa.
The United States Embassy in Kenya is also supporting Kenya's continued participation in the American Music Mentorship Program (AMMP), a partnership between the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Recording Academy. Established in 2024, AMMP aims to foster stronger global connections in the industry by connecting international music professionals with experienced United States-based mentors from the Academy, with a focus on cultivating the behind-the-scenes professionals essential to thriving music markets worldwide.
Building on this engagement, Kenya has been selected to participate in the program for a second consecutive year, with a new cohort expected to join in fall 2026, further strengthening connections between the Academy and Kenya's rapidly growing music sector.
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The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the Grammy Museum®, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares®, and celebrates artistic excellence through the Grammy Awards — music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators.
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