Congratulations to Naji Grampus, Director Urban Strategy, North America at The Orchard for being recognized as a Billboard Change Agent! Among many things, Naji was instrumental in leading an effort in June to repeal the New York state law (Section 50-A) that shielded the public release of police disciplinary records. The campaign garnered 18,500 signatures and ultimately got to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s desk where he signed the bill that repealed the law.
The Billboard Change Agents issue honored the individuals changing the business through advocacy and by example. Naji, thank you for pushing the boundaries of change beyond The Orchard.
Excerpt from Billboard’s Change Agents Issue:
Naji Grampus
Director of Urban Strategy, North America, The Orchard
The pandemic “removed the cloak of invisibility around many systemic issues that plague America, such as police brutality, health care and job security,” says Grampus, 32, who helped lead an effort to repeal the New York state law that shielded the public release of police disciplinary records. The campaign garnered over 500,000 impressions and 18,500 signatures before reaching New York legislators. In June, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill that repealed the law. “Many record labels, artists and influencers shared and supported this campaign,” says Grampus. “Any semblance of change begins with transparency.”
President Biden Must Focus On: “Forgiveness of student loan debt. The paradigm has shifted in 2020, and the need to take out overwhelming debt in exchange for a degree seems obsolete.”
See the full list of the Billboard Change Agents here.