HIP HOP ACTIVISM IN EDUCATION: THE HISTORICAL EFFORTS OF HIP HOP CONGRESS TO ADVANCE CRITICAL HIP HOP PEDAGOGY THROUGH URBAN TEACHERS NETWORK by Derrick J. Jenkins B.A., University of Cincinnati, 2000 M.Ed., University of Cincinnati, 2004 A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy College of Education In the Graduate School University of Cincinnati June 2012 ABSTRACT HIP HOP ACTIVISM IN EDUCATION: THE HISTORICAL EFFORTS OF HIP HOP CONGRESS TO ADVANCE CRITICAL HIP HOP PEDAGOGY THROUGH URBAN TEACHERS NETWORK JUNE 2012 DERRICK J. JENKINS B.A., University of Cincinnati, 2000 M.Ed., University of Cincinnati, 2004 Ph.D., University of Cincinnati, 2012 Directed by: Dr. Marvin Berlowitz Hip Hop culture has been an influential force on the social fabric of the United States and abroad for nearly forty years (Rose, 1994 & 2008; Dyson, 2007; Light, 2005). Its praxis as an agent of social change has been inextricably connected to movements of empowerment for countless youth who embrace hip hop (Bynoe, 2004; Chang, 2004; Kitwana, 2002). This study explores its Afro-Diasporic, activist origins, and the origins of activist organization Hip Hop Congress, as well as the theoretical impact of hip hop culture on the identity and pedagogy of educators affiliated with the Urban Teachers Network. Currently, hip hop education is being taught in nearly every discipline and subject in the K-16 pipeline (Duncan & Morrell, 2008), with very little assessment of its effect on student performance and equally limited analysis of educator’s role of its implementation. The results of this study will acknowledge the efforts of the Urban Teachers Network to connect educators who utilize hip hop pedagogy and evaluate the effect of their efforts while chronicling the activist role of Hip Hop Congress. ii | Page © Copyright by Derrick J. Jenkins 2012 All Rights Reserved iii | Page DEDICATION This is dedicated to my two knuckleheads, Derrick “Shubby” Jenkins, Jr. and Aniya “Na Na Papaya” Jenkins. This document should stand as a constant and nagging reminder that after three jobs, nearly seven years and countless doubters, not trying and furthermore failure is not an option. I love you with my whole heart. This is for you! Also, this is dedicated to my wise and longsuffering mother. You’ve instilled the love of knowledge and perseverance against any odds to accomplish what some said was not accomplishable. And even though I have disappointed you with some of my actions, I am still your son whom you loved and nurtured into a scholar activist. You are my heart! This is also dedicated to my Pa Pa and Granny Jenkins who would always after a hug upon greeting, question my siblings and I about our grades, subconsciously forcing me to do my best in school as a child. Lastly, and most certainly not least, this is for my Aunt Wanda and Uncle James, for loving us when at times I felt very few did and could. Your Big Fella did it! Pa Pa, Granny, Granmommy, Aunt Wanda and Uncle James, may God continue to give you rest. iv | Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would first like to thank the Creator, for it is through Him that I find strength and purpose. Secondly, I need to acknowledge the Jenkins Clan! Marsha, Derrick and Aniya, I love you and do what I do for you! Keep striving for good and God! To my siblings, Robert, Robyn, DaNelle and Sara, Jimmy B. and Donna, I love you and this completion is for the Jenkins Clan! I have to acknowledge my supportive family (Mommy, Daddy, Aunt Marilyn, Aunt Sharon, Aunt Janice, Uncle Oscar, Uncle DuWayne, Uncle Tommy, Aunt Darlene, Uncle Tony, Uncle Kenny, Aunt Della, Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Rhonda, Uncle Stanley, Aunt Ann, Cousins Paul, Jamie, Janelle, Janene, Tiffany, Stanley Marcus, Roberta, Shawn and Kevin, my nieces and nephews, Joshua, Destiny, John John, Josiah, Dynasty, Kiley, Alex, Jordie, Gabby and any other kinfolk I have forgotten to name) who have asked me for seemingly years if I was finished with this project yet… I am now! LOL! No one pass out on me. I’m a doctor now but not that kind. To my brothers and sisters who hold me down, Julian “Ju-Man” Montgomery, thank you for your patience with me not answering calls or calling you back when I said I would, and most of all for you just encouraging me to keep it moving when you’d sense that I was losing momentum. I love you Bruh! To Deonte Lamb, Anthony “Besseh” Harris, L-Boogie, LL, Mike G., Bro Rouseau, The Flip Modes, Elementz Hip Hop Youth Center, Brother Abdullah, keep doing your thing, we’ll link soon. To my committee director, Dr. Berlowitz: you are a one of a kind mentor, scholar and motivator. As you ride off into the sunset, I would like to take this time to thank you for all of the four letter word filled conversations that we had that kept me laughing, but most of all encouraged me and inspired me to never let you down… completely. LOL! To the rest of my v | Page committee, Dr. Vanessa Allen-Brown, Dr. Steven Sunderland and Dr. Terry Kershaw, you all have been my light at the end of the tunnel while wondering this wilderness called a dissertation. Thank you! I’ll never forget all of the encouragement and messages of admonishment for my less than rapid pace in completion. Thank you! It’s been said that one of the loneliest things one can do is to embark on the path of completing a dissertation. I can attest to this fact. However, the journey was made a little easier with the guidance and true friendship given by you, Dr. Mark Mussman. Thank you for that! And to the person who helped me dot my i’s and cross my t’s – Rossella De Leon – thank you for your meticulousness and your time and effort in getting me to this point. I will always be grateful. To my sister and comrade in the struggle, Dr. Marcella Runell-Hall, you are the quintessential scholar activist and kind spirit. Thank you for your profound words and support through this process. To my brother Dr. Akil Houston, brother you are the benchmark in which I measure my scholarship as a young hip hop scholar. Thank you! To my nurturing UC family! I did it! Thank you! Dr. E! Thank you for all of your fathering and at times tough love. You are and have been a great example of what to do, I love you for that! Ewaniki “Niki” Moore Hawkins, Eric “E-Watt” Watford, Patrice “Patty Mayonnaise” Barnes, Stacy “Dr. D.” Downing, Dr. Brandi Hutchins Elliott, Jasmine Buxton, Barb Prewitt, Xao Yan Huang, Yakaira Ramos, Mr. Reggie, Bro. Dean Bowen and Bro. Dan Cummins, you all have meant so much to me these past years of my development. I love you and owe you a lot. To my Frat A Phi till I die! Keep marching onward and upward towards the light! I would be totally remised if I did not acknowledge the foundation of my desire to work in the field of hip hop. William (M.C. R.O.C.K. or W.E.S. III) Stratman III, Mike (DJ Mike Ice) vi | Page Stratman, Freddie (Big Freddy Fred), Paul (PC Jr.) Cunningham, y’all are the heart of this. To my brother Napoleon Maddox, who knew that when we were listening to KRS ONE and Public Enemy, that Hip Hop would take us this far. See you when Iswhat? Makes it back stateside. To Butch Gibson, your hip hop show changed my life. I’ll always remember the real Free Style Friday show. All the crews we used to battle, step your rap games up! LOL! C.Y.P.H.E.R. I love y’all! And saving the best acknowledgement for last – Hip Hop Congress. I had a Stoic Epiphany Moment, reminiscent of my brother Shamako (you’re rubbing off on me in a profound way) about my journey to finish this research. This is my thought: A journey is more than the steps traveled. It is the road on which your feet trod. It is the determination of days advancing and the nights reflecting on the days’ advancement. It is the anticipation of what is ahead and the strength and confidence of what has been surpassed. But most of all a journey is simply that because of the people that one meets and the enrichment that abounds. Ever-changed by a kind word, a smile and a gesture of goodwill forever are deepening the spirit. Thank you Hip Hop Congress for your support and willingness to accommodate me in being the subject of this research. I’ve never met a smarter, kinder and more progressive group of cats ever. I can’t wait to take a more active role now that the research is finished. I have to thank individuals who helped make this thing a reality. Shamako Noble, you are one of the smartest and selfless cats I have ever encountered. You inspire me to step my game up every conversation. ‘Till the book is complete – let’s get it done Homie! To Sarah Harris, you have been so helpful in helping me make connections that helped me finish. Thank you! Amer Ahmed, you introduced me to this wonderful organization and for that I am eternally grateful. To my Brother Mr. Network vii | Page Himself, D-Labrie, I can’t thank you enough for your friendship and what you do for Congress.