HHC National Leadership

​Rahman Jamaal is an artist, educator and activist who served as USC Chapter Chair (2001), West Coast Regional Director (2004) and National Curricular Advisor (2013) before becoming Executive Director of HHC in 2015. In 2003 he starred in critically-acclaimed film "The Beat" and in 2012, he founded the educational company Rap Force Academy, where he continues to serve students of all ages in the Bay Area, CA and around the world. He currently operates a martial arts studio out of Redwood City called Afro Bushido Academy, SPC that serves Hip Hop Congress’ National Headquarter Chapter.

Anita joined Hip Hop Congress in 2004 at Ohio University, where she studied African American Studies, Women’s Studies, and Sociology with a focus in Media. She hosted the National Conference in 2007 and Poetry Matters, a creative circle for poets, artists, and writers addressing community issues through art. Currently, she resides in Austin, Texas, where she continues her work as an activist, thought leader, and historian.

Emile YX? is a B-boy, Artist, Activist, Playwright, Author, Teacher, and award-winning South African Hip Hop Pioneer (1982), founder of Black Noise Hip Hop Group (1988) and Heal The Hood Project (1998). He created South Africa’s 1st Hip Hop Magazine called Da Juice, won 3rd place at the 1997 World Breakdance Championship Battle Of The Year, and has raised funds to send more than 250 young artists to international Hip Hop events.

DeFranco is a case manager for formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted TAY; artist, writer, author of "The Birth of A Movement"; co-founder of the Black and Brown Movement (est. 1989); Co-CEO of Hip Hop 4 the Pih Poh, member of Artists United to End Homelessness; and a committed individual working towards the betterment of Hip Hop and humanity.

Natalie Zapata is a community organizer, youth advocate, educator, and co-founder of Auburn Hip Hop Congress. For more than 15 years, she has developed programs and opportunities that bring people together and give youth and artists a voice. Her work centers on youth arts, leadership, healing, creativity, and helping young people recognize their power to shape their lives and communities.

Rocky Zapata is a community organizer who specializes in media arts and youth advocacy. Drawing from his experience as a system-impacted youth, he connects well with young people and helps them foster a deeper connection with themselves, others and the world they’e growing up in. Rocky motivates people to use their voice, develop new talents, and tell their own story. He believes everyone has something important to contribute in life and champions the power of Lived-Experience, working in the same systems that he grew up in.

Tina Wright, Ph.D., is a sociologist and educator specializing in African-American studies, social stratification, urban education, Hip Hop pedagogy, applied sociology, media, and popular culture. She serves as Social Policy Chair of the Association of Black Sociologists and Administrator of Urban Teachers Network, a nonprofit supporting individuals and organizations working to empower urban communities through Hip Hop pedagogy, culturally relevant curriculum, media literacy, and community activism. She is also writing her forthcoming book, Rise UP Hip Hop Nation: The 360° Blueprint to Self-Determination.