The Knowledge Cypher: Hip-Hop, Pedagogy, and Inclusive Excellence
About this Event
This interdisciplinary summit mobilizes hip-hop as a community-engaged framework for knowledge production, bringing together students, educators, cultural practitioners, and community members to advance belonging, transform pedagogy, and reimagine institutional life.
Join us for an unforgettable evening where art, scholarship, music, and community converge to launch The Knowledge Cypher Summit: Hip-Hop, Pedagogy, and Inclusive Excellence.This dynamic pre-summit celebration invites community members to explore the transformative power of hip-hop as a catalyst for creativity, learning, and social change.
The evening of Thursday, November 19 will feature a special welcome from the Broad Art Museum, followed by a keynote from University of South Carolina scholar and hip-hop artist Dr. Jabari Evans. A scholar, educator, and accomplished rap artist, Dr. Evans brings more than two decades of experience as a hip-hop performer, songwriter, and producer, including his work as “Naledge” of the rap duo Kidz in the Hall, where he has performed and collaborated with Grammy Award–winning artists. His keynote will explore the power of hip-hop as a source of knowledge, creativity, and connection.
Guests will enjoy opportunities to experience museum exhibitions, contribute to a collaborative community art installation, and connect with artists, scholars, students, and community partners. The evening will come alive with conversation, creativity, live DJ sets, dancing, and interactive networking—transforming the Broad Art Museum into a vibrant gathering space where ideas are exchanged, collaborations begin, and community takes center stage.
On Friday, November 20 participants will explore how hip-hop can inspire new approaches to teaching, creativity, research, and partnership-building while creating meaningful connections between Michigan State University and the communities it serves. Tailored to pre-service educators, K-12 teachers, and faculty, this day is all about hip-hop pedagogy.
Below is the breakdown of events:
- The Knowledge Cipher: Hip-Hop Pedagogies in Practice (Two 45min sessions), 4-6 PM
- In the Classroom Cypher: Collaborative Learning in Motion/ Sampling the Syllabus: Remixing Curriculum Through Hip-Hop
- Hip-Hop Feminism
- Community Roundtable: Remixing the Institution: Scaling Hip-Hop Pedagogy and Community Partnerships at MSU (6-7 PM)
- Closing Reflection
Food will be provided. SCEHE's may be earned.
On Saturday, November 21, The Showcase: Beats, Voices & Visions serves as the culminating public experience of The Knowledge Cypher summit—an immersive, high-energy production that merges performance, scholarship, storytelling, and community celebration. Designed as both a cultural event and a living demonstration of hip-hop pedagogy, the showcase highlights hip-hop as a site of knowledge production, creative resistance, healing, and collective expression.
Presented in partnership with WKAR’s Streetlight Sessions, the showcase draws inspiration from the live-audience experience, celebrating authentic storytelling, artistic excellence, and deep community connection.
Day 1, November 19
🕑: 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Opening the Cypher: Community, Culture & Connection
Info: oin us for an unforgettable evening where art, scholarship, music, and community converge to launch The Knowledge Cypher Summit: Hip-Hop, Pedagogy, and Inclusive Excellence.This dynamic pre-summit celebration invites community members to explore the transformative power of hip-hop as a catalyst for creativity, learning, and social change. The evening will feature a special welcome from the Broad Art Museum, followed by a keynote from University of South Carolina scholar and hip-hop artist Dr. Jabari Evans.
Guests will enjoy opportunities to experience museum exhibitions, contribute to a collaborative community art installation, and connect with artists, scholars, students, and community partners.
Day 2, November 20
🕑: 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Hip-Hop as Method: Teaching, Research, and Institutional Transformation
Info: Check-in, Welcome and Flow of the Day (4:00-4:10 PM)
Collaborative Learning in Motion/ Sampling the Syllabus: Remixing Curriculum Through Hip-Hop (4:15-5:00 PM)
10-min Break
Hip-Hop Feminism, 5:05-5:50 PM
Community Roundtable: Remixing the Institution: Scaling Hip-Hop Pedagogy and Community Partnerships at MSU 6:00-6:45 PM
Day 3, November 21
🕑: 07:00 PM
The Showcase
Info: The Showcase: Beats, Voices & Visions serves as the culminating public experience of The Knowledge Cypher summit—an immersive, high-energy production that merges performance, scholarship, storytelling, and community celebration. Designed as both a cultural event and a living demonstration of hip-hop pedagogy, the showcase highlights hip-hop as a site of knowledge production, creative resistance, healing, and collective expression.
Presented in partnership with WKAR’s Streetlight Sessions, the showcase draws inspiration from the live-audience experience, celebrating authentic storytelling, artistic excellence, and deep community connection. Blending concert-quality production with the participatory traditions of the hip-hop cypher, the evening brings together artists, DJs, scholars, and cultural leaders in a dynamic exchange of creativity and knowledge. The program intentionally moves between curated performances, spontaneous collaboration, and artist interviews, creating moments of di
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
