PROGRAM LISTING

THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023

CHILDREN’S DAY

A Conversation with Kwame Alexander - A poet, educator, producer and #1 New York Times bestselling author of 39 books. He is the Executive Producer, Showrunner, and Writer of The Crossover TV series, based on his Newbery-Medal winning novel of the same name, which premiered on Disney+ in April 2023.

Auditorium. 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM.

Girls Makes Beats - Led by an experienced industry professional Girls Make Beats instructor, students will have a full hands-on experience to become a DJ for a day! Throughout the workshop, participants will: Create their own DJ name, learn the Serato DJ Pro software, understand the basics of how to use a DJ controller, use beat, tempo, and key matching of music while DJing, set hot cues for a performance.

Seminar Rooms 1 & 2. 2:30 PM – 2:15 PM.

Museum of Graffiti – Art Workshops - Trained local graffiti artists who bring their authenticity to the table. Participants will learn to draw different letter styles, characters, 3D shadows, and more! All art supplies are provided.

Urban League. 12:30 PM – 2:15.

Rennie Harris University of Hip Hop Class - Dance instructors with Rennie Harris University will lead classes on hip-hop and house dance styles. They will learn the foundations of breakin’, which include Top Rock, Footwork, Transitions and Freezes.

Urban League. 12:30 PM – 2:15 PM.

Olujimi Dance Theater’s Transnational (dance) Works (and other practices that) Evoke Revolutionary Kinship or T.W.E.R.K. - T.W.E.R.K. is a journey that explores movement, stories, traditions, sounds and rhythms of West and Central Africa, through the Global South to South Florida. The work explores the power of the divine feminine as manifested through the female body and the intersections of culture, history and philosophy.

Auditorium. 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2023

Conversation with Kevin Powell - A hip-hop historian and influencer, poet, filmmaker, human rights activist, and author of 16 books. Powell is also the author of a forthcoming biography on Tupac Shakur. His most recent book, The Kevin Powell Reader , was released in April 2023 by Akashic Books.

Auditorium. 6 PM – 7 PM

Eat. Drink. Read.: Kicks & Sips Edition - This year’s festival is entitled “WORD! Celebrating 50 Years of Hip-Hop Culture.” In line with the theme, attendees are encouraged to rock their fliest sneakers and hip-hop fashion. The over-21, ticket-required reception will include literary-inspired culinary selections, craft cocktails and wine, and a chance to meet celebrity chefs and authors. This year’s featured entertainer is DJ Demp, a legend in Florida’s hip-hop community, and the originator of South Florida’s MC style, Jam Pony Express DJs.

Lobby. 7 PM - 10 PM.

SATURDAY, JULY 15, 2023

The Rise of the Hip-Hop South // A Conversation with Dr. Regina N. Bradley - Dr. Regina N. Bradley is the author of Chronicling Stankonia: The Rise of the Hip-Hop South. Bradley is an award-winning writer and researcher of the Black American South. She is an alumna Nasir Jones HipHop Fellow (Hutchins Center, Harvard University, Spring 2016), Associate Professor of English and African Diaspora Studies at Kennesaw State University.

Auditorium. 11 AM – 12 PM.

South Florida Got Something to Say: The History & Future of Hip-Hop - While it was born in New York, South Florida put its own spin on hip-hop music and culture with its unique sound, look, and feel. From amplified bass sounds, distinctive MCing styles, and juke dancing, South Florida created a universe all its own. Join Rico Love, recording artist, producer, and chair of the Black Music Collective for the Recording Academy, Byron Trice, in conversation with Ted Lucas, the founder of Slip-N-Slide Records, as they discuss the past, present, and future of hiphop in the region.

Auditorium. 1 PM – 2:30 PM.

Rob Kenner, The Marathon Don’t Stop: The Life and Times of Nipsey

Hussle - A founding editor of VIBE, Kenner joined the start-up team of Quincy Jones’s groundbreaking hip-hop monthly in 1992. During a nineteen-year run at VIBE he edited and wrote cover and feature stories on iconic cultural figures ranging from Tupac Shakur to Barack Obama.

Gallery B. 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM.