Palmer begins fund to aid BIPOC country artists

"We have started the Color Me Country Artist Fund for artists of color pursuing careers in country music," Palmer tweeted today of her support for helping Black, Indigenous and people of color musicians. "I don't want anyone to stop pursuing their dreams for financial reasons."

Palmer is teaming up with The Rainey Day Fund to create a Color Me Country grant fund in order to support the underrepresented voices of BIPOC artists in country music. The grant will provide a micro-grant fund with cash gifts of up to $1,000. Grant can be used for whatever the artist deems necessary, according to the Color Me Country website.

Palmer started a podcast earlier this year, Color Me Country, about Black country artists, interviewing the likes of Darius Rucker and Mickey Guyton.

" As an artist, I've experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows," said Palmer. "I know what it's like to have to choose between eating and paying rent. To work a nine-to-five and then pull an all nighter in the studio to get closer to the dream of being a self sustaining musician. Any success I have achieved has been because of the kindness of others and their belief in me, and I want to pay it forward. The Color Me Country Artist Fund will be an extension of the work I do with my radio show, to further the careers of artists of color in the Country music space. I don't want anyone's dreams deferred because of financial hardships. 100 percent of the fund goes to artist in need.

The Rainey Fund is operated by Kelly McCartney, host of Southern Craft Radio on AppleMusic. Recipients of Rainey Day grants include Amythyst Kiah and Yola, Tré Burt, Chastity Brown, Birds of Chicago and Leyla McCalla.