Bridging the Rural and Urban Experience through Sustainability

Building Education through the Arts and Transforming Society (B.E.A.T.S) hosts the first annual Hiphop Expo, Saturday, April 11, 2009, 8:00 am-4:30 pm at Ohio University’s Baker University Center.

This year’s expo, “Bridging the Rural and Urban Experience through Sustainability” is an interactive event that merges the elements of Hiphop and discussions of social, economic, and environmental justice toward solutions of how art transforms rural and urban communities. Join internationally recognized social justice activist Majora Carter, Detroit emcee/activist Invincible, and the critically acclaimed Affrilachian Poets, (whose members have been featured on Def Poetry Jam) in an exciting day of art and activism.

Co-Coordinators: Dr. Akil Houston, Assistant Professor, Department of African American Studies; Ayanna Jordan, Director, Upward Bound; and Deanda Johnson, Coordinator, African American Research and Service Institute

Sponsors: The African American Studies Department, Arts for Ohio, Black Student Cultural Programming Board, The College of Arts and Sciences, The College of Education, The Hip-Hop Congress OU-Chapter, Multicultural Programming Office, Ohio University Program Council (UPC), Office of Sustainability, Student Activities Commission Vision Ohio Fund, United Campus Ministries, and Upward Bound

Check Out Videos of Featured Speakers/Performers:

Majora Carter video



Link to this video

Sledgehammer! official video

Link to this video

College of Arts and Sciences

College of Education

Multicultural Programming Office