Jeff Tweedy of Wilco has called for the establishment of a program that will direct songwriter royalties to organizations that support Black communities.

In an open letter posted on the band’s website, Tweedy writes, “This could take the shape of a box to check on rights management contracts, putting it at the foundation of our business. Or it could take another shape entirely. I don’t possess the expertise to manifest this initiative, but I can begin to do my part by committing five percent of my writer revenue to organizations that are working toward racial justice, which include but are not limited to Movement for Black Lives and Black Women’s Blueprint.

“To BMI, ASCAP, SESAC and all other organizations that collect and disburse songwriters royalties, I ask you to please investigate a way to implement such a program. To industry leaders: please join me in forming a coalition. My small contribution alone is a sincere but insufficient gesture. Hundreds of us joining together could provide some tremendous relief. Thousands of us committing to a reparations initiative could change our business and the world we live in.”

Read the whole letter at Wilco’s website: wilcoworld.net