UMA's Team & Organizers

Charles Clemons, Jr., a Boston native and owner of several established businesses, is President and founder of the New England Urban Music Awards. A successful entrepreneur, Charles founded First Choice Limousine Services and C.C. Sounds DJ and MC Services. He is also the owner of the popular urban radio station WTCH 106.1 FM in Boston. It is not uncommon for Charles to be seen in the community in his DJ capacity at senior and youth programs, large community events, or teaching young men in his youth group how to lead better lives.

"I have been thinking about the New England Urban Music awards for about 5 years. There is a wealth of musical talent in New England that has not been explored. It is basically untapped. Also, I like folks to network. I see the UMA as an opportunity for artists to network, showcase their talents, and go to the next step in their careers.

Since its beginning, the New England Urban Music Awards has had the support of many of Charles's closest friends, several whom serve on the Board of Directors. They have been involved from the beginning, lending their skills and services to ensure UMA's success. They do a lot of the work behind-the-scenes while Charles remains in the forefrot, working tirelessly to raise awareness and money for UMA.

We want to put the music industry on the right path. It has deviated from what most people, especially parents with younger children, consider appropriate for their children to materials with reprehensible language, the exploitation of females—and even men, with a highly negative impact on our youths. Not all of us are feeling that. We want to get music back to what is acceptable to most people - to have clean, conscious, empowering music that parents and children can comfortably listen to.

Urban Music Awards is bigger than me. We were all put on the earth to do something positive. I'm always a step ahead, thinking of what the next step is in terms of uplifting our communities. Boston needs a New England Music Awards. It’s a BET or Grammy’s of Boston; red carpet, cameras flashing, people coming out in droves looking sharp, the whole thing.”