031 Gospel Roots: A Non-Traditional Approach to Music Education with Marshall White

Marshall White, is CEO and founder of Unity Performing Arts Foundation and Director/Life Coach for the Voices of Unity Youth Choir. Marshall has three children Markeyta, Kamia, and Evan White and a stepson Chad Blackmon. He is married to Cynthia White. Mr. White has been shaping and molding young lives for more than 30 years. He is an accomplished musician, music and vocal coach, choral director specializing in teaching the soulful choral singing style and inspiring choir members to reach their ultimate potential by striving for excellence.

In today’s conversation, Derek sits down with Marshall White to discuss his journey from church pews to classrooms. Marshall shares his unique journey in the music industry, starting at a young age in his father’s church. Initially self-taught, he went on to receive formal training but found it lacking in cultural relevance. In response, Marshall took on roles in educational settings like Northrop High School and Purdue University to teach soulful choral music and other styles that resonate with communities of color. This led to the foundation of Unity Performing Arts Foundation, aimed at educating young people in various soulful genres while equipping them with life skills. Marshall shares his insight on the significance of preparation and resilience, citing the likes of Michael Jordan to underline that achieving greatness comes with its own set of challenges and sacrifices.

“If you’re not conditioned, and I say this skillful, knowledgeable, equipped, conditioned, prepared, if you don’t go through that process, before you get in the realm of great things, you will be conquered.” – Marshall White

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• How Marshall got started in the music industry.

• Minority children in the music community.

• Setting the standard of excellence for the choir.

• Singing at Carnegie Hall and the Lion King musical.

• Creating a multi-faceted platform.

• The philosophy behind the unity model.

• What is a success plan?

• The responsibility of being the target.

• Three things to do to do nothing.

• The importance of prioritizing your priorities.

• The heart of the effort and effort.

• Advice for people looking at starting a nonprofit.

Our Favorite Quotes:

“This could end up becoming a replicable model across the country, as an artistic and youth development platform, that it will be its first of its kind. And that will catch on, like the Boys and Girls Club and the Big Brothers Big Sisters in the YMCA of the 20th century. This will be the 21st century replicator.” – Marshall White

“That is inherently the line that we walk as entrepreneurs, to say, where is that line of, am I being consumed by the business? Or am I not spending enough time on that? You know, it’s a very fine line that you can go down a rabbit hole both ways.” – Derek Dall’Olmo

“I started in my father’s church around the age of 9-10 years old was when I actually had a desire to, to learn the instrument and the piano.” – Marshall White

“I think there, that was a unique situation, because most people who go into music, for a degree usually have an educational focus for music.” – Marshall White

Connect with Marshall White:

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Website: https://upaf.com/