Celebrating Over a Decade of Excellence, Unity, and Visibility in Live Entertainment
Since its founding in 2009 by Lance “KC” Jackson and William “Bill” Reeves, the Roadies of Color United Association (ROCU) has transformed the landscape of live touring and event production. What began as a network of seasoned professionals sharing resources and encouragement has evolved into a powerful international community advocating for inclusion, recognition, and opportunity for people of color across every sector of the entertainment industry.
The Beginning (2009 – 2013)
In 2009, a handful of veteran production and touring professionals recognized the need for visibility and connection among minority crew members working behind the scenes of the world’s biggest tours. Through forums, phone calls, and early meet-ups, ROCU began to grow — uniting lighting techs, sound engineers, riggers, drivers, and stage managers under one shared banner: representation matters.
- Formation of the ROCU online network connecting hundreds of touring professionals of color
- Early partnerships with production houses and live-event vendors to promote diversity hiring
- Launch of the first Roadies of Color United Facebook group
Expansion and Collaboration (2014 – 2018)
ROCU gained national recognition as a vital community within the live-entertainment ecosystem. The group’s members worked on tours with legends like Earth, Wind & Fire, Beyoncé, Luther Vandross, and Prince, shaping the magic millions experience on stage.
- First ROCU Summit bringing together technicians, production managers, and tour coordinators
- Partnerships with The Parnelli Awards, USITT, and NAMM
- Launch of mentorship and internship pipelines for young techs of color
Resilience and Leadership (2019 – 2022)
Through the pandemic years, ROCU’s unity shone brighter than ever. Webinars, online town halls, and relief funds supported out-of-work crew members while continuing to advocate for systemic change.
- Virtual town halls on racial equity in production
- Launch of the ROCU Relief Fund
- Recognition from Pollstar and Live Design Online
A New Era (2023 – Present)
Today, ROCU stands as a recognized professional association that continues to elevate, empower, and celebrate those who make the show happen. Members are being nominated — and winning — major honors such as the Parnelli Awards and Production Live recognitions, marking a historic shift toward visibility for Black and Brown professionals backstage.
- Launch of ROCU.TOURS, highlighting member achievements
- Development of the ROCU Hall of Honor
- Collaboration with production vendors and artists to increase diversity hiring
- Mentorship partnerships with Full Sail University, Black Theatre Network, and Live Nation Urban
The Legacy Continues
From 2009 to today, Roadies of Color United Association has proven that diversity is strength — that the hands behind the lights, the sound, and the stage deserve to be seen and celebrated. As ROCU enters its next chapter, its mission remains clear: to unite, to uplift, and to ensure every stage reflects the world that watches it.
#WeAreROCU | #RoadiesOfColorUnited | #BehindTheScenesStrong