The Change Makers

Hip Hop Congress works everyday to bring positive change to people's lives.

From its inception in 1993, Hip Hop Congress (HHC) set out to change the world through the culture of Hip Hop by using the unique experience and knowledge of Hip Hop Artists to conquer a specific need and alleviate barriers to social equity, educational inclusion, youth engagement and diversity within communities, schools and youth facilities. Realizing that there is no molded method for reaching youth, but that art, music and dance are integral to opening doors to connecting with young people, these ambassadors of change have used their talents to connect, teach, organize and inspire youth across cultures, genders and ethnicities. These Social Influencers have proven through their work that young people who feel they have a purpose and are given a means of expression through art are more engaged in school, and make better social choices in their everyday lives. Every Change Maker that sits on the Board of Directors of HHC shares a few critical yet core attributes. Some of those key values are;
  • Dedication to helping youth succeed
  • Fostering social justice
  • Advancing racial equity
  • Protecting human rights
  • ​Environmental Justice
  • Access to inclusive education
  • Building stronger communities
  • Using art as a platform to create solutions to inequalities
  • Mentoring youth
  • Dedication to sharing their knowledge to inspire young people
  • A love of Hip Hop culture
These agents for change continue to do amazing work with Hip Hop Congress and in their individual pursuits, just as every past visionary has done, and every future visionary is destined to do. Through their efforts they are inspiring young people to be the Change Makers of tomorrow.

GET TO KNOW THE CHANGE MAKERS
AKA "THE NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS"

RAHMAN JAMAAL

HHC Na​tional Executive Director
Founder of Rap Force Academy
BIO
​Rahman Jamaal is an artist, educator and activist who served as USC Chapter Chair (2001), West Coast Regional Director (2004) and National Curricular Advisor (2013) before becoming National Executive Director of HHC in 2015. In 2003 he starred in critically-acclaimed film "The Beat" and in 2012, he founded the educational company Rap Force Academy, where he continues to serve students of all ages in the Bay Area, CA and around the world.

RON GUBITZ

HHC Co-Founder, National Treasurer
Leadership Coach, Turnaround Arts
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. He is dedicated to making sure New Orleans stays funky.

DLABRIE

HHC National Artist & ​Outreach Director
CEO of RonDavoux Records
BIO

PIPER CARTER

HHC National Secretary
Co-Founder of We Found Hip Hop
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.

TINA WRIGHT, PH.D

HHC National Board-Member
Policy Chair, Assoc. of Black Sociologists
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 currently serves as the Social Policy chair of the Association of Black Sociologists and Administrator of Urban Teachers Network, a 501(c)3 charity supporting service minded individuals and community organizations working to empower urban communities through hip hop pedagogy, culturally relevant curriculum, media literacy, and community activism/artivism.
Wright is currently writing her forthcoming book titled: Rise UP Hip Hop Nation: The 360* Blueprint to Self Determination.

LONNIE GREEN

HHC Education Director
​Founder of The Strutters Room
BIO

JORDAN BROMLEY

HHC Co-Founder, Legal Agent
​Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
BIO
Jordan Bromley’s experience lies in recognizing talented artists, individuals and companies, developing strategy to achieve long-term success, and protecting their interests by rigorously negotiating and drafting the agreements forming the basis of their business relationships. A staunch advocate of creators’ rights, Jordan has worked 
intimately with Manatt’s government group in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, helping music clients devise and implement strategies to influence legislation and policy affecting intellectual property.

REAL ROBINSON IV

HHC Co-Founder, Vice Chair
1312 Group
bio
​Steve Real Robinson IV, born into a musical family from Chicago, Illinois, founded the first version of Hip Hop Congress in 1993 in Oxnard, California. Currently he runs the 1312 Group, an entertainment company based out of Los Angeles, California. He's a Martial Artist and former member of United States National Karate Team. He credits music and martial arts as the major building blocks of his life.

PARADISE GRAY

HHC ​National Board-Member
Chief Curator, Universal Hip Hop Museum
​BIO
​Author Claude "Paradise" Gray was raised in the South Bronx. He was cofounder of the X Clan, whose 1990 album To the East, Blackwards is an Afrocentric and socio-politically conscious Golden Era hip-hop classic. Prior to that, he was host and entertainment manager for the Manhattan nightclub the Latin Quarter where he was a key figure in transforming it into an historical hip-hop venue. Paradise is also a noted write, photographer and hip-hop historian/archivist, as confirmed with this book, No Half Steppin', where his personal collection of photographs and memories--paired with an oral history from some of the club's most famous patrons--tell the story of the most important incubator of talent for the Golden Era of hip-hop.

LISA ANICE-SUTPHEN

HHC International Ambassador
Member of International Dance Council (CID)
Outreach Director of Global Unity Net
BIO

BOARD OF REGIONAL DIRECTORS

MIC CRENSHAW

HHC Northwest Regional Director
​Founder of Afrikan Hip Hop Caravan
​Portland, OR
BIO

ANITA TOBIN

HHC Southern Regional Director
​Austin, TX
BIO

BBOY B

HHC Midwest Regional Director
​Chicago, IL
BIO

NATALIE ZAPATA

HHC Northern California Regional Director
​Founder of Academy of BLAH
Auburn, CA
BIO

MAURICE TAYLOR

HHC Northeast Regional Director
Founder of Poetic Recovery
Holyoke, MA
BIO

DE FRANCO BROCKS

HHC Southern California Regional Director
​Co-Founder of Black & Brown Movement
​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. 

MIKE WIRD

HHC Southwest Regional Director
​Denver, CO
BIO

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