07/10/2026
Artsucation™ Academy Network Presents the 8th Annual New Haven Hip Hop Conference
Voices of Belonging: Women of Hip Hop • “Our Health is Our Wealth!”
New Haven, Conn. (July 2026) — National Hip Hop pioneers, acclaimed artists, educators, filmmakers, scholars, and community leaders will gather in New Haven on Saturday and Sunday, July 11-12, at Neighborhood Music School (NMS) 100 Audubon Street for the 8th Annual New Haven Hip Hop Conference, a free, family-friendly celebration of Hip Hop as a powerful force for education, culture, history, and community. Presented by the Artsucation™ Academy Network in partnership with Neighborhood Music and with support from the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, this year’s conference centers on the theme “Voices of Belonging; Women of Hip Hop” and the message “Our Health is Our Wealth!”.
Curated, produced, and moderated by Dr. Hanan Hameen, Ed.D, founder of the Artsucation™ Academy Network and Co-Founder and President of the New Haven Hip Hop Conference, the event explores Hip Hop as an educational movement, a living cultural archive, and a catalyst for creativity, leadership, and social change.
“Hip Hop has always been more than music—it is history, education, community, and a powerful vehicle for social change,” said Dr. Hanan Hameen. “This conference brings pioneers, artists, educators, youth, and families together to preserve Hip Hop’s legacy while inspiring the next generation of creators and leaders.”
Featured guests include Pioneer DJ Tony Crush (Tony Tone), founder of the Legendary Cold Crush Brothers, whose contributions to Hip Hop are preserved in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and other permanent museum collections; Nikki D, the first female emcee signed to Def Jam Recordings; Babs Bunny, founder of Queen of the Ring and former member of MTV’s Making the Band; Nirule Salaam; Mama Jill Synder; and filmmaker, educator, and author Luther A, Blackwell Jr.
A special highlight of the weekend will be a stage reading of “Pioneer; The DJ Tony Crush Story”, written by Luther A. Blackwell Jr., followed by promotion of DJ Tony Crush’s autobiography.
Conference activities include interactive workshops on the elements of Hip Hop, AfroCrowd Wikipedia oral-history documentation sessions (participants are encouraged to bring their laptops), community discussions, youth activities, vendors, an artist showcase with open mic, and opportunities for families to engage directly with artists and scholars.
The Artist Development Training Program is funded by the NewAlliance Foundation. Admission is free and open to the public.
The New Haven Hip Hop Conference established in 2012 is an Artsucation™Academy Network (AAN) Initiative.
Event Information
When: Saturday July 11, 2026 (11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.)
Sunday: July 12, 2026 (11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
Where: Neighborhood Music School, 100 Audubon Street, New Haven, CT
Admission: FREE and open to the public
About Artsucation™ Academy Network
Artsucation™Academy Network, founded by Dr. Hanan Hameen, Ed.D., is dedicated to integrating the arts into education through innovative curriculum, artist development, cultural programming, and community partnerships. Its mission is to empower learners and strengthen communities through the transformative power of the arts.
Media Contact:
Dr. Hanan Hameen, Ed.D.
Artsucation™Academy Network
[email protected]
