LOS ANGELES — The Hip-Hop Education Center and Hip-Hop For Change have joined forces to expand the reach of the California Department of Education’s “Hip-Hop Education and Equity Initiative (H2E2).” This groundbreaking collaboration aims to quantify the impact of incorporating Hip-Hop culture into education, potentially reshaping policies and communities.
Marlon Richardson, Education Director and acting Executive Director of Hip-Hop For Change, emphasized the significance of this partnership. “This collaboration between our organizations is a game changer,” Richardson said. “This is much-needed research that will help quantify the efficacy and value of leveraging Hip-Hop culture in the world of education, which in turn can then impact policy and ultimately, our communities.”
Through this collaboration, several key initiatives are set to unfold. Firstly, empirical data will be collected to assess the effectiveness of integrating Hip-Hop culture into educational practices. Secondly, monthly professional learning workshops will be conducted, focusing on culturally sustaining pedagogy. Finally, an impact report will be unveiled in June 2024 at the annual AME Institute in Burbank, California.
The core elements of the initiative include the recruitment of aspiring Hip-Hop educators, the establishment of standard-based curriculum models, the launch of student leadership chapters, Hip-Hop enrichment programming, and continuous support and training for CTE credential candidates and teachers.
Central to the long-term success of the H2E2 Initiative is the development of best practices and standards. The Hip-Hop Education Center, in collaboration with Music Will and The Hip-Hop Roundtable, is currently spearheading the creation of national Hip-Hop Music Education Guidelines. The H2E2 Grantees will serve as early adopters, providing valuable feedback on these guidelines.
The H2E2 Initiative initially took flight in the Fall of 2020 with specialized grant programs at Compton Unified School District and ICEF View Park Preparatory Charter High School in South Central Los Angeles.
Key highlights of the initiative include:
- The California Department of Education’s Career and College Transition Division awarded two non-competitive grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to design and implement a Hip-Hop arts, media, and entertainment (AME) pathway program.
- The initiative offers Hip-Hop pedagogical support and resources to industry professionals, including credentialing and job obtainment information, classroom observation opportunities, guest teaching placements, professional development resources, and professional coaching.
- At the heart of the CTE AME teacher training lies a foundational course titled “Global Awareness Through Hip Hop Culture,” authored by View Park Preparatory CTE AME teacher Sebastien Elkouby.
- The H2E2 initiative was launched with a grant from the CDE and guided by Rahman Jamaal McCreadie, Executive Director of Hip Hop Congress Inc.; Sebastien Elkouby, CTE AME Educator; and Martha Diaz, Executive Director and Chief Curator of Hip-Hop Education Center.
The collaboration between the Hip-Hop Education Center and Hip-Hop For Change promises to revolutionize educational practices, fostering equity and inclusivity in schools across California and beyond. As the initiative gains momentum, its impact on educational policies and community empowerment is poised to be profound.
