In an industry built on connection and community, Powers For Good is asking a simple but urgent question. What if the music industry mobilized its power beyond the dancefloor?
Nina Weisbrod, long-time wellness advocate within the SoCal electronic scene, has founded a new project that caught our attention. We met up with her to discuss Powers for Good, an initiative aimed at rallying music industry players to build a network willing to help marginalized communities when it matters most.
Electric Powers
Emma, Electric Hawk: What is your professional background, and what roles have you taken on in the music industry?
Nina Weisbrod, Powers For Good: I come from both the nonprofit world and the music industry. Academically, my background is in public health, with a Masterโs degree focused on mental health and substance use.
My career has centered on community outreach, crisis intervention, and program development. I’ve worked on projects ranging from infectious disease response with the CDC Foundation to refugee health case management.
I have built a parallel career in music. I have worked extensively in harm reduction and event operations, serving as the Director of Events for End Overdose and helping lead Excision Presentsโ harm reduction initiative across festivals and live events. Also, I currently serve as Operations Manager for Project Seismic and Good Dub, and as the Health & Wellness Coordinator for Crown the Foundation.
For years, it felt like I was living in two separate worlds. Powers For Good is where they merge, channeling the reach and influence of the music industry into making a positive impact rooted in public health.
E: What is your vision and intention behind Powers for Good?
N: Powers For Good is built on a simple idea. The music industry already holds immense power financially, culturally, and communally, and we can activate that power for good. My organizationโs vision is to integrate charitable initiatives into the existing live music infrastructure. Weโre not reinventing the wheel. Weโre leveraging the same familiar workflows and systems that already drive the industry, and applying them with a purpose. Itโs about redirecting momentum that already exists.
The intention is to make it easy for artists, promoters, venues, and fans to support causes they care about. At its core, Powers For Good is about collective responsibility. If we can sell out rooms, move merch, and mobilize people to see their favorite artists, we can mobilize that same energy to support the communities that need it the most.
Movement for Good: Reducing Harm Through Community
E: What kinds of causes does Powers For Good plan to support?
N: Powers For Good is intentionally open-ended. The focus is on building infrastructure that the community can use to support any good causes they are passionate about. That could be health promotion, disaster relief, environmental efforts, medical research, or uplifting at-risk communities.
Some of my past efforts have included overdose prevention through End Overdose and expanding access to therapy and recovery grants with Crown The Foundation. Additionally, supporting immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities through Onhellโs fundraising tour, and providing disaster relief following the LA fires.
E: Why do you think it’s important to encourage the music industry to mobilize in the direction of good causes?
N: In the music industry, itโs easy to lose sight of why we were drawn to this space in the first place. Mobilizing around good causes reconnects us to that purpose. It strengthens community and directs real resources where theyโre needed, regardless of what side of the rail youโre on.
Whether youโre behind the scenes or in the crowd, weโre all part of the same ecosystem. When we come together for something beyond maximizing profit, it reminds us that our culture holds power beyond entertainment.
E: As you’re just getting started, what kinds of resources can be found on your page currently? What can people expect to see in the near future?
N: Right now, the page includes two different ways to connect with us.
The Industry Network Form is for artists, promoters, organizers, and other music industry professionals who want to join our international network. By joining, youโll be added to our database of collaborators interested in supporting charity projects and community initiatives around the world.
The General Inquiry Form is for anyone interested in collaborating, consulting, partnering on a project, or learning more about our work.
You can expect behind-the-scenes updates on the initiatives weโre supporting, along with reports on our impact from each effort. There will also be educational content, collaborative campaigns, and some upcoming show announcements that I canโt share yetโฆ
Actions Over Words
E: What’s your current call to action all about?
N: This current call to action is about building the foundation. Weโre creating a database of artists, promoters, production teams, and community members who want to use their platforms to give back. Right now, weโre organizing in support of immigrant communities who urgently need resources and visibility.
This network isnโt just for this one moment; itโs infrastructure. Long term, it will power fundraisers, charity efforts, and community-driven initiatives across the scene. The goal is simple: organize the people who care so we can activate quickly and intentionally when it matters most.
E: What do you think people within different roles across the music industry can do today to support your current cause of helping immigrants in the US?
N: Artists can donate a set, host a donation drop-off at a show, pledge a percentage of ticket sales or merch, dedicate a show or tour to fundraising, and amplify vetted immigrant-serving organizations.
Promoters can host charity shows where they donate all proceeds or a percentage, host donation drop-offs, add additional donation options at ticket checkout, or organize raffles or giveaways to raise money. Production teams, venues, and other industry professionals can donate services or reduce fees to make these efforts scalable and sustainable.
Attendees can buy tickets to fundraiser shows, bring donations, share connections or resources that could support these efforts, and help promote them on social media. They can volunteer for roles like load-in/out, street promo, box office, and encourage their networks to support, even if they canโt attend in person.
No one has to reinvent their workflow. I believe that we can integrate fundraising and donation collection into what we already do.
Community Wins
We at Electric Hawk have teamed up with Powers For Good to help launch their current call to action: creating a database full of artists, promoters, production teams, and community members who believe our industry can do more.
What makes this initiative powerful is its inclusion of roles all over the industry. Whether youโre an artist donating a percentage of merch sales, a promoter hosting a fundraiser show, a venue offering space, or an attendee spreading the word, your position is powerful.
Powers for Good wants to show us that giving back can be integrated into what we already do in the music world. If youโve ever believed this scene was about more than just the party, this is your moment to step forward.
Our network is global and open to people in all regions and roles across the music and events industry!
Keep up with Powers for Good
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