ENERGIZE, ORGANIZE, REVOLUTIONIZE.
Our Mission
"HHC empowers communities around the world through the development and sharing of its cultural resources.
Our network serves artists, youth and thought-leaders who support grassroots initiatives and culturally-informed education for social change."
Our network serves artists, youth and thought-leaders who support grassroots initiatives and culturally-informed education for social change."
Hip Hop Congress Inc (HHC) is a non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to spreading Hip Hop cultural awareness and creative exchange to uplift individuals and communities. We collaborate our efforts through local, regional, national and international grassroots organization to evolve the perception of Hip Hop culture as a means to inspire social engagement, civic service, cultural creativity and economic growth. Our local, regional and international Chapters, affiliates and respective communities consist of a solid network of diverse individuals driving the necessary change to transform the world by uplifting young people and Artists though creative development, education, civic engagement and equitable resource exchange. HHC regularly hosts cultural events and workshops focused on the Hip Hop art forms of DJing and Turntablism, MCing/Rapping, Tech-based Music Production, Dancing, Graffiti Art and Beat Boxing, as well as the topics of Hip Hop education, mental health and youth-crime prevention. HHC is committed to youth-based programs that develop social emotional learning, mental health, academic growth and inclusive education across all genders, races and ethnicities.
Our Roots
Hip Hop Congress Inc. is an international organization (est. 1993) that has connected these diverse people from around the world through the power of education, art, music, dance and social justice. Launched as a small grassroots movement of artists in 1993 branding collaborative efforts with a university student organization in 2000, it became a 501(c)3 organization upon discovering its network could unite school activity and community culture.
Virally spreading over 70 school and community chapters across the globe in less than a decade, Hip Hop Congress became the first and largest grassroots Hip Hop-based nonprofit organization of its kind. The organization and its direct influence through its broad chapter and artist network across 6 continents promotes leadership across the United States, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Japan, South Korea, China, France, Spain, Switzerland, and Australia.
Virally spreading over 70 school and community chapters across the globe in less than a decade, Hip Hop Congress became the first and largest grassroots Hip Hop-based nonprofit organization of its kind. The organization and its direct influence through its broad chapter and artist network across 6 continents promotes leadership across the United States, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Japan, South Korea, China, France, Spain, Switzerland, and Australia.
We help to build and connect communities through cultural resources, supporting the diverse economic and creative opportunities that can sustain a future for all People. Hip Hop Congress (HHC) carries 30 years of experience exchanging cultural currency through creative art forms that inspire and impact youth and leaders around the globe . Our organization built its foundation with like-minded individuals committed to the same vision of working towards an equitable and just future.
Our Vision
HHC intends to build a worldwide network of "Cultural Workers" through its Artist Network alongside global partnerships that share an equitable vision for the future. HHC aims to support more Chapters fostering youth engagement in their local communities that thrive on collaborations and working relationships across the globe.
HHC builds strategically with like-minded organizations to provide opportunities that support K-12 STEAM education, youth crime intervention programs, and credentialed teaching positions for Artists. We work to close the educational divide with diverse program opportunities that create more inclusive educational environments in public schools. The Hip Hop Education and Equity Initiative (H2E2) Program allows Artists to become recognized as community leaders for their valuable contributions as "Cultural Workers" via professional career paths in education in California. H2E2 is an extension of curriculum developed by artists, piloted by teachers, and assessed by academic researchers working over the last 25 years. H2E2 is the first state-sponsored Hip Hop education grant program in the United States.
HHC builds strategically with like-minded organizations to provide opportunities that support K-12 STEAM education, youth crime intervention programs, and credentialed teaching positions for Artists. We work to close the educational divide with diverse program opportunities that create more inclusive educational environments in public schools. The Hip Hop Education and Equity Initiative (H2E2) Program allows Artists to become recognized as community leaders for their valuable contributions as "Cultural Workers" via professional career paths in education in California. H2E2 is an extension of curriculum developed by artists, piloted by teachers, and assessed by academic researchers working over the last 25 years. H2E2 is the first state-sponsored Hip Hop education grant program in the United States.
EXECUTIVE BOARD COMMITTEE
TINA WRIGHT, PH.DExecutive Board Chair
Los Angeles, CA BIO
Tina Wright, Ph.D. is a sociologist and educator, specializing in African-American studies, social stratification (race, class, gender), urban education, hip hop pedagogy, applied sociology, media and popular culture. She is currently a tenured faculty member at Los Angeles Southwest College and Co-Trustee and Administrator of UTN, a 501(c)3 charity supporting service minded individuals and community organizations working to empower Black/Brown communities through hip hop pedagogy, cultural literacy, media literacy, and community activism/artivism. Wright has also published a book, 360: A Blueprint to Black Self-Determination. 360 provides a hip hop centered analysis of society's racialized history and a blueprint to actualize Black liberation. 
RAHMAN JAMAALExecutive Director
The Bay Area, CA BIO
Rahman Jamaal is an artist, educator and activist who served as USC Chapter Chair ('01-04), West Coast Regional Director ('04-'12) and National Curricular Advisor (2012-15), and Executive Director (2015-'24). Notable achievements include his starring role in 2003 critically-acclaimed Sundance film "The Beat", writing California's first standard-approved rap curriculum in 2005, and running his own dojo, Afro Bushido Academy, SPC where he converges Hip Hop curriculum and martial arts training in his hometown of Redwood City, CA. 
ROCKY ZAPATAExecutive Committee Director
Auburn, CA BIO
Natalie's values of empowerment, critical thinking, compassion, and creativity shine through in her work. With a background in program and curriculum development, as well as fundraising, she utilizes her skills to address key social justice issues. Her commitment extends to mental health advocacy, promoting relevant education, empowering BIPOC communities, advancing LGBTQIA+ rights, and tackling the systemic challenges of poverty. |
|
