Reel Sisters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to showcasing art, literature, and films by artists of color, is hosting a two-day celebration of African Voices magazine's Hip Hop issue guest edited by Kevin Powell. The events coincide with National Poetry Month and commemorate the 50th anniversary of hip hop, underscoring the cultural and historical importance of this artistic movement. This celebration matters because it provides a platform for marginalized voices in hip hop, particularly women and artists of color, whose contributions have often been overlooked in mainstream narratives about the genre's evolution.
On April 12th, the Riverside Theatre will host an evening of poetry readings and a screening of the Netflix docuseries episode 'Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip Hop.' CR Capers, founder of the Hip Hop Film Festival, will lead a panel discussion featuring Crystal Whaley, co-executive producer of 'Ladies First'; DJ Franchella; Liza Jessie Peterson, director of 'Black Love Manifesto'; and Evangeline Lawson, photographer and cover artist for African Voices' Hip Hop issue. This panel's significance lies in its focus on women's roles in hip hop, addressing historical gender disparities and highlighting contemporary female leadership in the industry. Derick Cross, African Voices' art director and renowned beatbox performer, will serve as the event's MC, with special performances by poets reg e gaines and Avery Danae Williams, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of hip hop culture.
The celebration continues on April 13th with African Voices Hip Hop @ 50 Community Day at The Venue. From 3 pm to 8 pm, attendees can enjoy poetry readings, a creative writing workshop, music, and an open mic session. This community-focused event is important because it fosters grassroots engagement with hip hop as an art form, encouraging participation from diverse audiences and nurturing emerging talent. Limited print copies of the Hip Hop issue, featuring 63 writers spanning four generations, can be purchased online at https://AV Hip Hop @50, preserving this historical documentation for future generations.
Both events are free, with a suggested donation of $7, making them accessible to broad audiences and reinforcing the nonprofit's mission of inclusivity. For more information, visit https://www.africanvoices.com and https://www.reelsisters.org. The implications of this celebration extend beyond entertainment, as it serves as an educational initiative that contextualizes hip hop within broader social and artistic movements, promoting cultural preservation and dialogue around issues of race, gender, and creativity in New York City's vibrant arts scene.
