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 BOARD OF DIRECTORS"

RAHMAN JAMAAL

HHC Na​tional Executive Director, Chairman
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.

REAL ROBINSON IV

HHC 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.

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.

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.

ASIA ONE

HHC National Board-Member
​Founder of No Easy Props

BIO

​Nancy “Asia One” Yu is one of the best-known and most-respected b-girls in the world, the founder and CEO of the annual B-Boy Summit event, a member of Fame City Graffiti Crew, President of the Mighty Zulu Kweenz Crew and founder of No Easy Props, a non-profit with the mission to preserve Hip-Hop culture and provide education and entertainment to communities of all ages throughout the world. She appears extensively in commercials, television shows, and films. Asia One holds a double B.A. in Art and Social Engagement, Multiculturalism & Activism from Metropolitan State University of Denver. Her main interest and purpose is to bring diverse groups of people together to create discourse and social change, using the vehicle of Hip-Hop.

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.

ALYSSA MACY

HHC National Board-Member
CEO, Washington Environmental Council

BIO

​Alyssa Macy is the CEO of Washington Environmental Council and Washington Conservation Voters. She is a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon, and was raised on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Most recently, she served her Nation as the Chief Operations Officer where she was responsible for $33 million in tribal programming and services. Her previous experiences include working transportation, campaign management, communications and international advocacy within United Nations bodies. She is a published writer and co-authored the first ever national report on Native American voting in 2005. Alyssa has been a foster parent to 6 children and loves being an aunty. In her spare time, she spends time reading, traveling, and spending time outdoors. She is a graduate of Arizona State University where she received her B.S. in Justice Studies and did her graduate studies at the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis.

PARADISE GRAY

HHC ​National Board-Member
Historian, ​Author & Activist

​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.

BEN EISENBERG

HHC Co-Founder, National Board-Member
​Founder of Smarter Campaigns

BIO

Ben Eisenberg is the President and Founder of Smarter Campaigns. He has worked, volunteered or consulted on nearly 100 campaigns – ranging from State Representative to President – in a dozen states and on three continents. He has worked in every aspect of 
campaigns, from field to finance to communications, and these days works as a general consultant and strategist, training political candidates in how to succeed. He has taught and guest lectured at Universities across the country from Cal Poly to MSU Denver to West Point and is also a member of the Board of Directors of AIM4The Heart.

JORDAN BROMLEY

HHC Co-Founder, Legal Agent

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.

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JOIN OUR OFFICIAL PODCAST EVERY SATURDAY AT 12 NOON PDT FOR REAL-TIME DISCUSSIONS WITH ACTIVISTS, EDUCATORS, ORGANIZERS AND ARTISTS  CARRYING OUT KEY GRASSROOTS EFFORTS AROUND THE WORLD.

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