About the Show:"I want the people that I work with and who I represent and who I inspire to know that it's worth it, that they're worth it, that they're valuable." – Robyn Jordan In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with DJ, cultural facilitator, and HerSetHerSound founder Robyn Jordan to talk about the work she's doing to build greater economic opportunity, representation, and joy for women, people of color, and gender-diverse creatives in our region's music scene. Robyn shares how HerSetHerSound grew from a single festival into a year-round ecosystem—188 bookings, 55+ artists, and over $100,000 injected into the local creative economy. She talks about her own journey, why mentorship and intentional space-making matter, and why real empowerment means more than just "exposure." This one's for anyone who loves music, makes it, or cares about the people quietly shaping Northwest Arkansas's cultural life. Key Takeaways: Empowerment Through Action: HerSetHerSound has created real economic impact, paying artists fairly and centering women, people of color, and gender-diverse creatives both on and off the stage.Building Community, Not Just Events: Robyn emphasizes hospitality, intentional curation, and intersectionality, crafting spaces where every guest, artist, and vendor belongs and feels seen.The Power of Local Roots: Robyn’s journey from party-goer to business leader is rooted in family legacy, mentorship, and a belief in bringing big possibilities to communities outside major cities.Challenging Industry Norms: The conversation highlights persistent wage gaps and barriers in the creative industry, calling for accountability, credit, and investment in those who make our culture thrive.Vision for the Future: With ambitions for more venues, year-round programming, and continued partnership with groups like NWA Pride and Juneteenth, HerSetHerSound models what inclusive growth in Northwest Arkansas music and nightlife can look like. All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Her Set Her Sound WebsiteHer Set Her Sound on InstagramBooking Her Set Her SoundTickets & Festival Info: FESTIVAL | Empower Change Today — Join the Movement — HER SET HER SOUNDArkansas Soul — Outlet amplifying Black and Brown voicesDelta Dirt Distillery — Black-owned, Helena, ARIndigo Road Hospitality Group: theindigoroad.comCousins Lounge (shoutout): Cousins Bentonville on FacebookNWA Juneteenth: NWA Juneteenth FacebookNWA Pride / NWA Equality: nwapride.orgDJ Afrosia (mentioned local artist): DJ Afrosia InstagramFindItNWA.com NWA’s Hyperlocal Business Directory This episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase. Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedIn Thank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode: Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" FindItNWA.com Looking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport" FindItNWA.com
