Candace Newman was once overlooked for opportunities but is now providing them.
For over a decade, Candace has occupied the live music and touring space, creating memorable experiences that last a lifetime. She booked, produced, and promoted tours for musical acts including Rihanna, The Backstreet Boys, Toni Braxton, and more. Essentially, Candace is moderately responsible for bringing the world’s most celebrated artists closer to their fans – but her road to leadership was not easy. She worked her way up in an industry never designed for her elevation and became one of the few Black women touring executives at a national company. Candace has a powerful presence that no one can stop.
After advancing for 11 years at Live Nation and concluding her time there as Director of North American Tours, Candace is now CEO of her own company, Live Out L!ve, creating the change she wants to see. We recently had the opportunity to talk with her about Black Women Equal Pay Day (which recently passed on Aug. 13th), ‘aha’ moments, and finding comfort in the bigger picture.
Her Agenda: You started out as an assistant in the touring department of Live Nation and eventually worked your way up to the Director of North American Tours. Do you have any ‘aha’ moments that you experienced as you navigated through the course of your career?
Candace Newman: The ‘aha’ moments have changed over time as my life has evolved and growth has come into play. When I originally was an executive assistant, I had ‘aha’ moments from learning the new environment that I was in, understanding the touring space, and knowing that it was something I wanted to pursue. Touring was not something that I originally planned on pursuing because I did not know if there was a place for me in this industry, but God knew. Once I got into that position, I started to learn and understand that my passions directly tied to where I was. Eventually, as I evolved and got to the next levels within my career, I realized that my path was leading me to diversify those spaces. As I grew and became an ‘only’ in that space, it became isolating and I wanted to see change. My passions evolved from wanting to grow within my career to creating opportunities for others to be in those spaces as well.
-As I grew and became an ‘only’ in that space, it became isolating and I wanted to see change.
Her Agenda: I’m sure being one of the only Black women touring executives in the music industry is insanely challenging. What do you tell yourself in moments when you feel like quitting?
Candace Newman: In moments where I feel like quitting, I tell myself to see it through and do not give up. I am not just doing this for myself, but for young people who are looking at me as inspiration. Others are watching and what I do influences and impacts them. A lot of who I see myself as is a reflection of other women who look like me. I have positioned myself to be in that space, so I am not just talking to myself about not quitting, but the younger version of myself, my child, and other people. I feel like if I quit, I am quitting on other people. Quitting is not an option, I have to keep going.
-I feel like if I quit, I am quitting on other people. Quitting is not an option, I have to keep going.
Her Agenda: This year, you have been very adamant about speaking out about diversity and inclusion, as well as equal pay in the workplace. How do you find the bravery and power to use your voice?
Candace Newman: My confidence, which has developed over time, has allowed me to dig deep and find the bravery. As I have grown in value, I realized that there is truth to the power that I speak and in using my voice to speak up for those around me. I find bravery within my spirituality and God, which is where I find the confidence to speak up. I know my value and who I am through that. I know that my purpose is not tied to any workplace nor money, which allows me to tap into my voice. I am passionate about what I do, which has nothing to do with race or gender, but doing everything with excellence. Excelling in a space where I am an ‘only’ allows me to show that if I can make it, other women can too.
Her Agenda: You are heavily involved in supporting Black Women Equal Pay Day, which was just last week on August 13th. How do you think awareness will invoke change in corporate America, which is dominated by everyone except for Black women?
Candace Newman: Awareness will bring attention to and highlight a very important cause that more people should get behind. There is a large percentage of people in America that are not even familiar with unequal pay being a thing. This will hopefully push for equitable treatment in the workplace and allow Black women to be empowered to ask for what they deserve and earn. I want this to disrupt and dismantle a system and promote economic liberation.
-As I have grown in value, I realized that there is truth to the power that I speak and in using my voice to speak up for those around me.
Her Agenda: You are an entrepreneur at heart and recently launched Live out L!ve, to reinforce the culture of live entertainment. As your own boss, what is the biggest thing you have learned about being a Black woman in business?
Candace Newman: Live out L!ve is a platform that I created which was inspired by my personal journey. I wanted to create access and opportunity for future diverse leaders of the live entertainment space. As a Black woman who is an entrepreneur, I have taken all of my skills, passion, motivation, and drive from a table that I was not invited to and created my own. I hope that I can liberate and empower other women to create their own space and extend themselves to help others amplify their voices in the same way.
Her Agenda: Being a single mother as well as a working woman in an industry where you often work beyond the clock, how have you found a balance in giving enough care to yourself, your son, and your career?
Candace Newman: I prioritize everything as they all go hand in hand. It is important for me to set an example of caring for myself so that my son understands that self-care is the number one way for us to extend ourselves. I care for my son because he is who I am responsible for in guiding and giving support throughout his journey in life. He is the reason why I do all of this. As far as my career, I am happy to have a career that I love which does not feel like work. All three sectors merge together and I find balance in caring about them all as I know that they contribute to moving my life forward.
-I find bravery within my spirituality and God, which is where I find the confidence to speak up.
Her Agenda: In the future, when people look back on your legacy within the industry, what do you want to be remembered for?
Candace Newman: I want to be remembered for aligning my passions and beliefs while making sure they go with me everywhere. I carry my integrity and purpose with me because they intersect through every area of my life. I want people to associate my legacy with my ability to define my value through my purpose and God who steers it. I want my legacy to show that I lived my purpose out with the highest level of integrity.
