Alumni Profle – Autumn Mays: Empowering Creators, Building Community
Autumn Mays is a proud alumna of the Dr. Terence Thomas Memorial Scholarship. After 4 years of scholarship support during her educational journey, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree […]
Black News 
Autumn Mays is a proud alumna of the Dr. Terence Thomas Memorial Scholarship. After 4 years of scholarship support during her educational journey, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Performing Arts Management from DePaul University’s School of Music in 2024, graduating Magna Cum Laude with double minors in Communication Studies and Business Administration. Following graduation, she relocated to Los Angeles to further her career in music business.
Autumn currently is the West Coast Creative Membership Coordinator at ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), where she works closely with songwriters, composers, music publishers, and their professional teams. In her role, she supports membership engagement initiatives and contributes to the planning and execution of ASCAP industry events and programming designed to foster connection within ASCAP’s creative community. Her dedication to professionalism, collaboration, and creator support aligns closely with ASCAP’s longstanding commitment to serving the music community.
Prior to joining ASCAP, Autumn gained experience across several organizations within the music and arts industries, including Disney Music Group, The Recording Academy, and Elevated Chicago. Through these opportunities, she supported A&R and music publishing teams, contributed to artist and member relations initiatives, and participated in arts and cultural programming. Collectively, these experiences strengthened her foundation in music operations, creative collaboration, and supporting both recorded and live music entertainment.
Beyond her professional work, Autumn remains deeply committed to advocacy and community impact through the arts. In 2020, she founded NoteWorthy Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to financial resources and musical opportunities for creatives in underrepresented communities. She is also actively involved in several organizations, including Women in Music, GRAMMY U and the Los Angeles Urban League Young Professionals.
As a lifelong musician herself, Autumn continues to explore her own creativity through violin and music composition, reflecting the same passion she brings to championing the work of fellow creators. Through her professional work, creative endeavors and community involvement, she is committed to empowering the next generation of creators while helping shape a more inclusive and equitable music industry.
