The University of Hip-Hop [UHipHop] is a multidisciplinary school of the street arts, which uses hip-hop for youth education and leadership development, and creates service learning projects and community beautification projects to increase cultural awareness and tolerance for communities in Chicago and worldwide. Historically the University has used hip-hop to critically examine the historical socio-cultural backgrounds of its participants, and engage youth in the study of diverse cultural identities and expressions, to bring visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and spiritual artwork to people of all ages and backgrounds. We offer multi-disciplinary courses in dee-jaying, rap, graffiti and mural arts, and break-dancing. Over the past ten years we have added classes in political education, outdoor and environmental education, the humanities and social sciences to youth and people of all ages. Our goal is to increase the opportunities for youth to use hip-hop to bring communities of different backgrounds together to share and celebrate their cultural experiences and histories. For UHipHop, H.I.P-H.O.P is an acronym meaning Healthy Independent People Helping Other People, whereby our youth are empowered as community workers, future leaders, and educators through community-based projects.

The University of Hip-Hop provides youth with pathways for collaborative learning that they can use in their personal lives, their communities, and in experiences with various individuals and communities The University has established charters in several cities, at grammar and high schools, park districts, universities, and community centers. We have brought youth together from Oakland, California; Chicago, Illinois; the Bronx in New York City; Poland; and Pine Ridge and Rosebud, South Dakota, to learn from each other and to create hip-hop artwork for public appreciation. Pursuing an appreciation of cultural diversity and an understanding of the evolution of artistic expression, has taught our youth the importance of creative action in human history. We continually strive to expand our work with others and empower our youth to become learned community activists and teachers encouraging others in their creative endeavors.

BACKGROUND AND HISTORY

The UHH has operated every summer since 1997, and grew into an after-school and weekend program for 1998-2000. It is an institution recognized across the United Sates. The school has collaborated with artists from New York, Colorado, California, Wisconsin, Florida, St. Louis, and Kansas. Students have attended youth conferences across the nation, and the UHH has thrived under the direction of its own students. At times struggling with a thin budget line, the university has nevertheless persisted in creating outlets for youth in the Chicago community.

With graduates in the theater school at DePaul University, the Art institute of Chicago, the architecture schools at ITT and UIC, and representatives in eight different states, the school continues to grow. During the summer of 1999 the UHH erected more than 20 murals, performed at a minimum of 50 community occasions, and recruited many new members. The summer of 2000 saw the UHH paint 32 murals [in excess of the original goal of 24 walls] and the during the spring and summer of 2001 UHH painted 52 murals across Chicago. We have held community celebrations that were sponsored by Northwestern University, VertelÕs sports, Street Lingo, and Underground Wheels. Collaborating with SWYC, the Feed, Clothe, and Help the Needy [Operation Blessing] program, the Chicago M.E.T. and M.O.D. programs, Chicago public schools and park districts, Aldermen Troutman and Coleman of the Englewood area, Alderman Helen Schiller, and Northern Illinois UniversityÕs outdoor education program, the UHH continues to diversify learning experiences.