A key component of Law Rocks’ mission is to promote youth music education. In 2023, the Law Rocks Board founded the Music Matters grant, given to a local nonprofit that supports youth music education in each of our US tour cities. Omi Crawford, Executive Director of Law Rocks, says of the grant initiative:

“Law Rocks has always been about championing nonprofits, especially local organizations that make a real difference in their community. The Music Matters grant deepens that commitment, helping support music education organizations nationwide as they change young lives through the power of music. It’s inspiring and exciting to learn more about each organizations work, truly one of the best things about this work!”

Today’s spotlight is on our 2025 Law Rocks Washington DC Music Matters grant recipient, FAME - Foundation for the Advancement of Music & Education. FAME’s mission is to positively impact the lives of youth through access to quality music, education, programs and experiences. We first awarded FAME with a Music Matters grant in 2024, and are pleased to be supporting the organization again this year.

We recently checked in with the FAME Team, to hear what the organization has been up to over the past year. Read on to learn more in our spotlight interview below!

2025 Washington DC Music Matters Grant Recipient: FAME - Foundation for the Advancement of Music and Education | Photo by Ana Tantaros | Courtesy of FAME

1) Have any new programs or initiatives been introduced since our last conversation that you are particularly excited about?

Since we last spoke, FAME expanded the Music Is Central Program with the Come for the Music, Stay for the Math initiative. We launched the initiative this school year —a project that allowed us to bring music training and one on one academic tutoring support directly to students in two underserved schools. Through this initiative, we were able to introduce and provide hands-on access to music technology and production, and one-on-one academic tutoring using state of the art computers and equipment.
One of our proudest achievements was establishing the fully-equipped music technology laboratory and recording studio for use by 300 students in grades three through eight. This space became a creative hub where students engage with both music and learning in a whole new way. The impact has been powerful and measurable:
• Absenteeism dropped significantly, as students became more excited and motivated to attend school.
• Class participation rose, particularly among students who were previously disengaged.
• And perhaps most notably, the average GPA increased by a full grade level across participating students.
We are proud to provide additional support to these students through in-school and after-school programming that combines music mentorship with academic reinforcement.
Our goal is simple but powerful: use the universal language of music to open doors to academic success and personal growth. And we’re just getting started.

Photo by Jeremy Norwood | Courtesy of FAME

2) What are you most looking forward to in the coming year?

We are excited that we are expanding two major initiatives in the coming school year. First, we are expanding the music workshop and clinic offerings for middle school, high school and college students in the Greater Washington Region in partnership with professors and musicians from the University of Maryland School of Music, The Juilliard School, and the Berklee College of Music. These engaging and intensive workshops provide participants with a rare opportunity to learn directly from some of the most talented jazz artists and educators in the world. The events will include a mix of performances, discussions, and collaborative activities, ensuring a holistic and enriching experience for attendees. Secondly, we plan to increase the number of Artificial intelligence (AI) sessions at our satellite locations around the region. We want to empower youth to embrace AI responsibly, ethically and critically. We believe that providing hands-on AI learning in classroom experiences will foster literacy and enhance essential skills. We will instill that “it’s not just about knowing how to use AI, but when and why to use it in ethical ways.”

We also look forward to presenting FAME’s annual intergenerational community concert in December to get the holiday season started for all residents, especially our senior citizens, with multiple spirited sounds of music and an unforgettable experience.

3) What is your favorite thing about having your organization take part in a Law Rocks event?

Being part of a Law Rocks event is truly unlike anything else. The energy of the live music, combined with the friendly competition, creates an unforgettable atmosphere. It’s inspiring to see and hear musicians from diverse backgrounds, professions, and cities come together—united by a love of music and a passion for supporting impactful nonprofits.

What makes it even more special is the sense of community. The event offers amazing opportunities for our team to connect and network with fellow musicians, nonprofit leaders, and supporters who all share a common purpose.

There’s nothing quite like stepping into the room or on stage, and speaking to a warm cheering crowd, and knowing that the work of your nonprofit is important and appreciated. It brings our team closer—not just as colleagues, but as performers—and it’s all in service of something bigger than ourselves.

Learn more about FAME.