The DC Music Summit’s project “You Gotta Leave DC to Get Love” will engage with the Kennedy Center’s Social Impact program to confront and challenge a common perception in Washington, D.C.—that local artists must leave the city to find success. This collaboration will continue the DCMS project focusing on capturing the voices and stories of those creating inclusive spaces and opportunities for D.C.-based musicians. Through interviews with artists and industry professionals, DCMS will highlight challenges caused by limited resources, gentrification, and systemic discrimination and celebrate community-led solutions that foster resilience and sustainable careers.

This collaboration aligns perfectly with the Kennedy Center’s Social Impact program, which uses the arts to drive social change and support underrepresented communities. Together, DCMS and the Kennedy Center aim to shift the narrative around D.C. music and advocate for building sustainable infrastructure that reflects the city’s rich diversity. Documenting the voices of those shaping the local music industry will help preserve D.C.’s unique cultural heritage and inspire policymakers, community leaders, and residents to support a thriving music economy that provides equitable opportunities for artists to succeed without needing to leave their hometown.