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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."​
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.
​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.

EXECUTIVE BOARD COMMITTEE


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TINA WRIGHT, PH.D

Executive 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.

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RAHMAN JAMAAL

Executive 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.

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ROCKY ZAPATA

Executive 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.

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RON GUBITZ

Executive Board Treasurer
St. Louis, MO
BIO
As a Hip Hop Congress co-founder, Ron helped to develop HHC’s initial web presence, college chapter program, and National Conferences. He is the Leadership Coach for the Turnaround Arts program with The Kennedy Center. From 2011-2016, he served as principal of ReNEW Cultural Arts Academy in New Orleans, leading the Pre-K through 4th grade academy. A graduate of Indiana University, Ron began his career in St. Louis teaching high school English. He founded an AP program, and the first high school chapter of Hip Hop Congress.

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ANITA TOBIN

Executive Committee Director
​​Austin, TX
BIO
Anita joined Hip Hop Congress in 2004 during her freshman year of college. In her time there she hosted the National conference in 2007, produced a 30 minute magazine show entitled Sauti and held multiple Hip Hop events on and off campus.  She attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio majoring in African American Studies, Women's Studies and Sociology with a focus in Media. Post graduation she participated and became host of Poetry Matters, a creative circle for poets, artists and writers to come fellowship addressing community issues through art. Anita moved to Austin, Texas in 2019 where she continues her work as an Activist, Thought Leader and historian.

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PIPER CARTER

Executive Board Secretary
Detroit, MI
BIO
Piper Carter is an Arts & Culture Organizer in the Maker Space, Environmental, Education, & Food Justice communities, Host of the Piper Carter Podcast on Detroit is Different, the First Black Woman to shoot for publications such as French Vogue, Co-Founder of We Found Hip Hop, Creator of Dilla Youth Day, Member of Detroit Equity Action Lab, Detroit Digital Justice Coalition, Detroit Independent Freedom Schools & National Board Member of Universal Hip Hop Museum.

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NATALIE ZAPATA

Executive 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.

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DE FRANCO BROCKS

Executive Committee Director
​​Los Angeles, CA
BIO
Co-Founder of the Black and Brown Movement / Co-CEO of Hip Hop 4 the Pih Poh / Affiliated with Artists United to End Homelessness / Author of "The Birth of a Movement" / Artist, activist, artivist / most importantly, a concerned and committed individual to the betterment of Hip Hop and humanity. ​

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EMILE YX? JANSEN

Executive Committee Director
​Atlanta, GA | ​​Capetown, South Africa
BIO
Emile YX? is a B-boy, Artist, Activist, Playwright, Author, Teacher & multiple award-winning South African Hip Hop Pioneer (1982), founder of Black Noise Hip Hop Group (1988) and Heal The Hood Project (1998). Created South Africa’s 1 st Hip Hop Magazine called Da Juice. Won 3 rd place at the World Breakdance Champs, Battle Of The Year in (1997). Raised funds to send more than 250 young artists to
international Hip Hop events. Recorded and released 27 albums, 14 solo, 13 with
Black Noise. Wrote and contributed to 24 books like Neva Again & Reconnect The String. Created and performed 5 plays, like the award winning play, Afrikaaps.

HHC National Office
50 Woodside Plaza, #203
​Redwood City, CA 94061
Contact us: [email protected]


© Hip Hop Congress, Inc (HHC)
All Rights Reserved
​Hip Hop Congress, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation.
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