Hip Hop and Social Justice

Hip Hop is an international phenomena that began as a social justice movement in Harlem in the 1970s. While the commercial aspects of Hip Hop are more recognized, there is a strong connection to social justice issues among the Hip Hop community, particularly among youth of color.  In the new report Hip Hop and Social Justice Initiative, ZeroDivide shares our experience working with this community and supporting their growth and ability to impact positive social change.

The report documents the evolution and outcomes of ZeroDivide’s Hip Hop and Social Justice Initiative, a philanthropic model connecting two powerful, interconnected phenomenas: technology and the youth-inspired folk art, “Hip Hop.”

Executive Summary

In 2003 ZeroDivide set out to explore the possibilities of a new philanthropic model that used two powerful, interconnected phenomenas: technology and the youth-inspired folk art, “Hip Hop.” ZeroDivide believed this model had the potential to capture the interest of disadvantaged youths, engage their inherent intelligence, and encourage positive social change. The Foundation sought to:

• Create a strategy that combined technology and Hip Hop to cultivate entrepreneurship and community-based activism;
• Fund programs that matched its strategy; and
• Demonstrate the value of new partnerships among communities, policy makers, philanthropic organizations, and grassroots Hip Hop movements.

SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR NEW GENERATION

Hip Hop spontaneously arose in Black communities in the post-civil rights and post-Black Power era. It quickly became an artistic expression of, and a way to survive, on-going poverty and social disenfranchisement. Hip Hop simultaneously evolved into a medium for grassroots political organizing and a force in popular American—and later, international— youth culture. In 2003, philanthropic foundations first funded individual Hip Hop artists and activists.

TO ASSESS THE NEED

ZeroDivide commissioned a youth expert to explore the possibilities for Hip-Hop-specific initiative and appointed a full-time program officer to direct the discovery process. In a bold and unprecedented decision, The Foundation also invited expertise from outside of itself: ZeroDivide created a forum comprised of 24 Hip Hop experts, philanthropists, business leaders, professors, and activists, known as “The Kitchen Cabinet.” This fluid forum connected previously isolated facets of the Hip Hop community; The Kitchen Cabinet met periodically from 2005-2007 to discuss ideas and informally advise The Foundation as it developed, implemented, and refined its strategic plan.

IMPLEMENTATION

ZeroDivide established four funding guidelines:

1. California-based nonprofits that:
2. Engage technology; 
3. Demonstrate innovation with an eye on social change, and
4.  Use one of the five elements of Hip Hop: 

From 2004 to 2008, ZeroDivide funded 15 grassroots Hip Hop programs and devoted over $1 million in resources and program and directive grants.

LESSONS LEARNED: A NEW MODEL

ZeroDivide learned lessons vital to the success of funding emerging youth-centered organizational models. In order to recognize and utilize such genius, philanthropy must consider the following philosophical and strategic shifts: 

• Cede Control: Allow communities to articulate their needs;cultivate collaborative partnerships; take risks and remain fluid; look for non-traditional measures of success.
• Strive for Sustained and Authentic Engagement: Provide on-going thought leadership and consultation; find mutual strategic goals.
• Build Networks: Fund Hip Hop convenings and their resultant collaborations and partnerships. 
• Encourage social enterprise programs: Support the natural ability of young organizers to combine entrepreneurship with social justice goals. 

CONCLUSIONS

ZeroDivide hopes philanthropic foundations will embrace and further its initiative: this proven model offers new solutions to some of the most difficult, persistent problems of our time and transforms marginalized youths into engaged and economically vital citizens.

View the digital report and download the corresponding report written by Hip Hop expert and author Bakari Kitwana.