Where is Hip Hop's Positive Impact?
Plus dates for Hip Hop conferences, CFPs, screenings, lectures, and more
☮️ Hello friends, neighbors, supporters, and haters!
Earlier, as I was compiling dates of important interdisciplinary Hip Hop events (listed below), someone randomly commented on social media that they loved the idea of my organization, The Center for Hip Hop Advocacy (more on the future of that org later), and its “mission to preserve, protect, and promote the ability of Hip Hop music and culture to improve humanity, fight injustice, innovate industries, and save lives.”
But then they asked, “…but where’s the impact?”
I immediately felt sadness. I mean, OK sure, the work I do is specifically to help bring awareness to all those things, so I suppose their inquiry proves I still have a purpose, but still, it’d be great if people weren’t so immediately jaded.
So, continuing to try and change the world’s perception one person at a time, I responded, “Everywhere! Built a whole media ecosystem to tell folks all about it! Come on by! www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com”
To be fair, this person being unaware of all the brilliance and innovation that we talk about here, inside that very ecosystem, isn’t their fault, or mine. The stuff we lift up here isn’t important enough to the algorithms, it’s not salacious enough for most other media figures to invite me to talk about, and without clickbait or pseudo-journalism tactics, it’s definitely not a revenue generator.
It’s easy to think that Hip Hop has no positive impact on humanity.
Thing is, most things that can help solve humanity’s problems are doing so by actively fighting against the very systems that are causing the problems. Those systems, and those who profit from them, have zero incentive to spread the word about things that could interfere with that hustle. Hip Hop being used for the greater good is no different. So I guess this is all to be expected.
Sometimes though, if I’m being honest, it does make it hard for me to stay motivated. Luckily, I know I’m not alone! First, there all the people I interview, write about, or share stories about who deliver THE IMPACT — the brilliant and passionate educators, health professionals, teaching artists, technologists, and more.
But also, YOU’RE HERE! Thousands subscribed to this newsletter, the YouTube channel, the podcast, or our new Discord server, all digging this ecosystem, this brewing community of forward-thinking Hip Hop-lovers looking to change the world for the better!
Hopefully, all this inspires you to keep using your love for, and connection to Hip Hop in your daily lives in ways we often share in those channels, rather than sit back having to wonder, “Where’s the impact?”
That’s what I’m really hoping comes out of all this work — all of us, old community members and new, collectively discovering and amplifying ways to use Hip Hop music, culture, ethos, and spirit in authentic, intentional ways to create more real impact, at a time when it’s most needed.
🙏 So my ask today is to please jump on your favorite social media channel, group text (yes, Signal is ok here lol), Discord server, Slack channel — anywhere there are people who might not know about the kind of positive impact Hip Hop music and culture can have — and, indeed, are having — on our society…
📩 …and send them this post!!
Once you’re here (Hi new person 👋) — look through the newsletter archives! Check out the audio or video interviews with educators, artists, practitioners, nonprofit leaders, and other advocates. Check out some of my editorials. Check out the stuff I share to my Instagram stories.
You should quickly be able to get an idea where “the impact” is.
Now, I’d admit, it’s not enough. But that’s why I’m doing this. That’s why you’re here, and why those other tentacles of this media ecosystem exist. That’s why some of you help support this work financially. (🙏🙏🙏!)
I want this ecosystem to be a community for those who know Hip Hop’s by it’s true nature — peace, unity, love, and having fun — and are helping champion its ability to uplift humanity and improve society.
In these spaces, we’ll share that kind of innovation and inspiration, and when times in the world get tough, we’ll hold each other up as we do in the cypher, with encouragement and support, with constructive critique and by sharing information and resources.
So, to visitors old and new, as they say here in the South when you walk up into a spot, welcome in.
And as my mom would always say, “Take off your coat, stay a while.”
📢 OMGOMGOMG! It’s almost here, Hip Hop Can Save America! the book!! Those who have been paying attention have seen me tease that my debut book is due to be published next month. Some more info here if you’re really curious, but check back soon for pre-order date and other updates.
I am currently booking keynote speaking engagements and media appearances in support of the book, so if you are or know someone who can help with any of that, please message me and I’ll give you more info.
📅 INTERDISCIPLINARY HIP HOP EVENTS & IMPORTANT DATES
(This section brought to you by our brand new DISCORD COMMUNITY! Click to join the ongoing conversations!)
DEADLINES, CALLS FOR PAPERS/PRESENTATIONS/ETC.
DUE MAR. 31: CFP - #HipHopEd Conference. We invite proposals that address the following theme: Hip-Hop as Transformation: Empowering Education, Industries, and Communities
DUE JULY 15: CFP - Global Hip Hop Studies Journal
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 28 [Columbia, SC]: Hip-Hop As The Bridge: A Conversation with Dr. Jabari Evans and Dr. Tony Jenkins
April, 3-6 [D.C.]: Words, Beats & Life Festival
April 5 [NYC]: Fresh, Bold & So Def Women in Hip-Hop Symposium II - Trailblazers Talk: Celebrating Women in Hip-Hop
April 5 [Orlando]: Rock da Floor Kid's Dance Battle National Championship
* April 11 [Rutgers-NJ]: Hip Hop Youth Research and Activism Conference
April 18-19 [Hartford, CT]: The Trinity International Hip Hop Festival
April 22-25 [NYC]: Teachers, bring your class to Word.Sound.Power at the Brooklyn Academy of Music
April 30 [Rutgers-NJ]: Dr. Lauren Kelly talk: Drawing from Hip Hop and Youth Popular Culture in ELA Instruction and Assessment
May 31 [San Diego]: Show & Prove Hip Hop Studies Conference (Call for proposals now open through Feb. 28)
June 6-7 [NYC]: #HipHopEd Conference (Call for proposals now open through Mar. 24)
* June 20 [ATL]: Panel discussion (ft. Skyzoo, Manny Faces) “Crafting The Culture: The Dynamic Intersection of Hip Hop & Craft Beverages” - Part of the 2025 Crafted for Action Craft Beer Conference
Oct. 11 [L.A.]: Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final
November [D.C.]: Third Annual Hip Hop Studies Conference at Howard University (More info to come)
(* Manny Faces will be there!)
KNOW OF AN EVENT THAT SHOULD GO HERE? TELL ME!!
Thanks y’all. Get at me on BlueSky. Join the Patreon. Come to the Discord!
Thanks for sharing and spreading awareness. Especially during these political times. Brave work.