Hip-hop artists and elected officials came together Thursday night at a Bronx charter school—located in the borough where hip-hop was born—to foster unity and encourage collaboration between cultural icons and political leaders.
The event sought to inspire civic engagement, particularly among students and their families, and to boost voter participation ahead of the upcoming city elections.
Roughly 200 people attended the gathering, titled Bridging the Gap Between Elected Officials and the Hip-Hop Community, which was organized by Servicing Our Youth (S.O.Y.). The event took place on May 29 in the gymnasium of Family Life Academy Charter School, a K-12 institution.
Artists such as Chacka and Al Pizarro joined community members, students and local leaders to explore ways to build stronger connections between the hip-hop community and government institutions.
“The Bronx created hip hop and for a long time, we haven’t got a mesh of politics and hip hop working,” said Al Pizarro, CEO of Hip Hop Boulevard, a local organization dedicated to hip-hop and its pioneers. “We want to make sure we work with our politicians.”
SOY Executive Director Joel Rivera was joined by Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr., who is running for Bronx Borough President; New York City Comptroller Candidate Ismael Malave-Jr.; New York City Public Advocate candidate Marty Dolan; and Bronx civil court candidate George Santana.
Chacka and Al Pizzaro talked about the need to harness the energy of hip-hop, uniting religious, cultural and political figures in ways that can benefit the community.
Music played in the gym with writing on the walls such as “Change is Coming “and “We are the change,” “Freedom is incomplete without social justice” and “Peace and Freedom Walk Together.”
“We got to fix our relationship between civilians and authority,” Chacka said. “That’s something we have to fix from our side civilians and from the authorities.”
Salamanca pointed to neighborhood improvements, including money for affordable housing, playgrounds, parks and schools.
Others talked about the need to build trust between officials and community through connection.
“No one trusts anyone, because were too busy building walls,” George Santana said. “We have to roll up our sleeves and come into the community. There’s not enough of that between the elected officials and the people.”
Students at the charter school, which serves 420 and is expected to grow to about 700, gave a presentation on government.
“It’s an opportunity for our students to display some work regarding civic engagement,” said high school principal Jose Martinez. “It’s ensuring students are understanding the links between culture and their own civic engagement.”
Martinez focused on the importance of democracy, elections and education.
“Everybody talks about voter registration,” Martinez said. “Most people don’t talk about voter education.”
Hip-hop artists told students they had found paths to success and encouraged others to be positive forces.
“I’m here to set an example,” said Tony ‘Mr. Wave’ Wesley, a breakdancer and moderator. “I went from negative to positive. Ever since then, doors have been opening to me.”
Bishop Raymond Rivera, a local religious leader, sought to rally youth, reminding them that engagement is the only way to achieve change.
“What does it say on the wall? It says change is coming,” he said. “Hip-hop changed the world. Break dancing changed the world. Hip-hop and elected officials, bridging the gap. We want you to get together. You can be part of that change. Change is coming. We are the change.”
Students talked about the importance of elected officials and candidates reaching out to youth. “It’s a good idea. It’s good for the school,” Maurice Bap, a sophomore, said. “I think it’s cool, what they’re doing.”
Parents saw the school’s role in the event as important, as students both study government and see officials reach out to them.
“I think this is very exciting,” said Diana Jimenez, president of the parent association at Family Life Academy. “It gives us a place where we can hear people running to be our representative. The fact that we see the hip-hop community as well. To see those two worlds merge.”
The evening focused on change—and for the betterment of the community. “What you perceive is a reality. You are the future,” Dolan said. “You hold a lot of power.”
Tony “Mr. Wave” Wesley echoed these sentiments.
“We got the legends. We got the culture,” he said. “What is happening in this school comes first.”
