Abstract
This article explores a community-based collaborative partnership between three Hip-Hop educational nonprofits, Upward Light Community Cyphers, Project STAND (Social-Emotional, Transition, Academic and Network Developing), and the Center for the Advancement of Youth Development (CAYD), all focused on mental health support for youth, and a public-school program that has serves students with and without exceptionalities. The goal shared by all organizations involved is enhanced educational access and engagement for students with and without exceptionalities. Rooted in the core elements of Hip-Hop — emceeing, DJing/music production, breakdancing, and graffiti art, the collaborative partnership has offered culturally sustaining, arts-integrated instruction that supports both academic development and social-emotional learning. Drawing on frameworks such as Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy (CSP), this collaborative partnership has provided inclusive and adaptive programming aligned with students' Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and objectives. This intersection of Hip-Hop culture and special education is explored in this study, which examined data garnered from program evaluation that highlighted student engagement, self-advocacy, and skill development.
DOI
10.5703/1288284318657
Keywords
Community Based Partnership, Hip-Hop Based Education, Non-Profit Organizations, Mental Health
Date of this Version
8-3-2026
Recommended Citation
Hunter, William C.; Clements, Tarol Page; and Washington, Gregory
(2026)
"We Are All in This Together Now: Exploring Community Based Partnerships Focusing on Hip-Hop Based Education,"
Journal of the Arts and Special Education: Vol. 6
:
Iss.
2,
Article 7.
DOI: 10.5703/1288284318657
Available at:
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/jase/vol6/iss2/7
Included in
Other Education Commons, Other Music Commons, Secondary Education Commons, Special Education and Teaching Commons
