1000 Hip Hop Heads

1000 Hip Hop Heads
Teaching Black History with Music

by Karen L. Wisotzkey

The head-count inside the Manny Weaver Gymnasium on February 25th is expected to be one thousand — attendance unmatched in Harrisburg for an educational event outside school curriculum. So, how do you get the attention of one thousand eighth-graders? Easy — throw a little Hip Hop music on the mic and get a party started — a party in celebration of Black History Month at Rowland Intermediate School, that is.

Now, you may be thinking, “What does Hip Hop have to do with Black History?” True, Hip Hop music hasn’t quite made it to the “historical” age, but that doesn’t mean it can’t help teach a little Black History. World Tribe Management Group has devised an ingenious plan to make it work. They have constructed an event that will showcase local music, dance, and spoken word, while recognizing the accomplishments of a few prominent African American community figures.

With music to capture the young people’s attention, putting the spotlight on a hard-working man with a story to tell adds a history lesson to the mix. By inviting speakers from the local African-American community, Black History becomes more tangible to these young people. These speakers are just a few of many who are busy making history in our own back yards. How much closer to home can it get than to hear from Attorney James Rowland, Jr. (pictured right) — a man of humble origins, whose family is the namesake behind this very school — Rowland Intermediate.

Also on the agenda is Joe Summers of the YMCA Black Achievers. Mr. Summers will talk about this nationwide program that mentors 7th and 8th grades and follows them through high school. Nate Gadsden, Harrisburg’s Poet Laureate, will also take the stage with his unique brand of Spoken Word poetry that often describes slices of the African American experience. Dr. Gadsden brings with him a history of over 20 years with Harrisburg’s writing community — the recorders of history in any society.

So, who’s providing the Hip Hop? Two live bands from Harrisburg (whose identity is being held under wraps until the show) and several young dancers from Rowland promise to keep the party jumping and ideally open young minds to a little intellectual stimulation. As part of World Tribe’s efforts to showcase ethnic diversity in the region, they have also introduced a rap/hip hop music production piece to operate under the World Tribe Management Group umbrella. The bands on the program agenda are just two of the four acts.

With this showcase event, World Tribe continues to promote, support, and introduce the growing influence of music, style, and culture to what they call the “Five Finger” region — York, Lancaster, Lebanon, Reading, and Harrisburg. Using Hip Hop as the nucleus in this Black History Month event, World Tribe brings a new approach to education — and as a result will bring more education to teens.