Last week was RSD Couch Camp, Summer Camp’s first virtual conference. I would like to say thank you to Music Biz, Portia Sabin, Nick Maiale, Nicole Hennessey and Evelyn Dichter, without you, we could not have pulled this off! Also, a very special thanks to my Co-Camp Counselor Carrie Colliton for all of her hard work to make this event come to life. Of course, it is not quite the same as us all being together in person in New Orleans or Nashville, but it's wonderful to get a chance to connect with many of you, so thank you to everyone that participated in this event. I also had the opportunity to participate on a panel to discuss Indie Retail as part of the annual Secretly Distribution Label Hang, I really enjoyed those conversations, so thank you to Shelly and Irene at Secretly for the invite.

We also took a moment for Blackout Tuesday. For some of our stores that meant taking a pause, for some it was getting into the streets, making contributions and taking an opportunity to acknowledge and assess the work that needs to be done in our communities.

This week George Floyd was laid to rest. There is so much for me to take in and I am still processing all of it. Mr. Floyd’s life was wrongly taken from him like so many others before him. I have been thinking of his family and friends and the loss they are suffering. I hope they are able to find a small bit of comfort in knowing that he will not be forgotten. He is a part of something much bigger now. People far and wide have come together to unite and say his name with the demand for justice and change. That gives me hope for a better tomorrow.

I recognize that this is a movement, not just a moment, so I am taking the time to listen, reflect, educate myself, to understand others and to take action to be a voice for positive change.

I have been reflecting on the many Black lives that have changed my life.

Black teachers- that challenged my way of thinking and taught me lessons I will never forget
Black friends- that accepted me without judgment, despite the color of MY skin
Black Leaders-that showed me what it means to be fearless
All of the Black Artists, Musicians and Creators that have influenced and shaped me and have made/ are making the world a more beautiful and inspiring place for us all.

It is time for me to give back.

Andrea

Here are the charts

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

Sade Soldier of Love (Epic)  Andrea Paschal - CIMS/ThinkIndie Executive Director Listening to this one a lot. If we must fight, let us be soldiers of Love. — Sade
***Soldier of Love***
(Epic)

**Andrea Paschal - CIMS/ThinkIndie Executive Director**
Listening to this one a lot. If we must fight, let us be soldiers of Love.