LOS ANGELES — Tuning her guitar has become second nature to Zorrie Petrus, whose passion for music started when she was young.
"I started out in classical music when I was 7, so I play the viola, drums, guitar, and piano," Petrus said.
That love has led her to moderate a virtual roundtable on March 27 called Black Women in Rock, highlighting Black women rockers' careers and the importance of music education for girls of color.
Petrus said Black women are often seen to only belong in R&B or hip-hop, not rock.
"Like how does the public perceive you as a Black woman musician before you even start playing? And showing people what you can actually do?" Petrus said.
Sponsored by the Women's Leadership Project, its founder Sikivu Hutchinson, both a musician and an author, put this event together to discuss the erasure of the founding influence of Black women in rock music.
"A lot has really not changed when it comes to the trajectory of the industry and marginalizing and erasing the contributions of African American women in rock," Hutchinson said.
Discussions will stem from her book Rock and Roll Heretic, a tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
Tharpe was a rock music trailblazer influencing artists, including Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley.
"She played a seminal role in mainstreaming rock but unfortunately did not get her due when it came to all of the accolades and the recognition that white males have received in the industry," Hutchinson said.
The roundtable will feature contemporary Black women rockers like Malina Moye, to discuss their music industry experience.
"There aren't a lot of us being represented, so I think that it's important that spaces that we occupy are spaces that everyone has an opportunity to be in the space that they want to be in," Moye said.
While Moye has made music history, the trail she's blazed hasn't produced an abundance of guitarists that look like her.
But she said times are changing.
She's seen a change in the industry since the murder of George Floyd, and with Kamala Harris as vice president, she said the door is open to more women of color.
"As a first to play the national anthem and make history and do all these great moments – unbelievable, unbelievable – and I'm so proud, but real change is when I look back and I see many (like me)," Moye said.
And for Petrus, she's hoping the audience will feel inspired by the musicians and feel empowered learning the origins of rock music.
"A new way of thinking of rock music in itself, that's what I want people to walk away with," Petrus said.
CORRECTION: A previous version of the story inadvertently misquoted Moye. The error has been corrected. (March 26, 2021)