The Hip Hop-based education framework is a student-centered holistic approach using Hip Hop history, culture and music as a hook, bridge, and/or discipline to learning and teaching. For over 30 years visionary leader, founder and president Martha Diaz has pioneered this field, culminating in the creation of the Hip Hop Education Center; a nexus to centralize and connect the work of Hip Hop artists, teachers, students, scholars, archivists, and innovators from across the globe.
Acting at the forefront of the diversity and inclusion movement, Hip Hop Education Center (HHEC) catalyzes equity in education through a multi-disciplinary approach including; advocacy for culturally responsive pedagogy & arts programming, development of leadership and workforce training, transnational research, and the creation of a living digital repository of Hip Hop educational resources and history.
The HHEC partners include the Universal Hip Hop Museum, Lincoln Center, Words, Beats and Life, California Department of Education Career Technical Education, Arts2Work, Dolby Labs, and Music Will.