Moments Create Movements

• In Event: Hip Hop in Higher Education: Documenting History, Culture, and Pedagogy

Abstract

The critical reimagining of educational spaces that take seriously the cultural orientations and lived realities of our students is essential. With our growing population of students of color at a predominantly white institution (PWI), the authors embarked on a qualitative inquiry supported by an institutional grant. As a culture, Hip-Hop has provided a space that brought marginalized communities to the forefront. Sense of belonging is recognized as a factor contributing to persistence to graduation. Utilizing qualitative research methods, the need for a comprehensive understanding, appreciation, and/or experience with Hip-Hop education to strengthen a sense of belonging emerged through the findings. Through Hip-Hop, the PWI campus optimized an influential intercultural counter space that has implications for student learning and development.

Authors

• Marlene N. Fares, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

• Stephen Walker, University of Pittsburgh

• Ian Levy, Rutgers University