(February 28, 2022, Bronx, NY) – The Universal Hip Hop Museum
(UHHM) is giving flowers to the women in Hip-Hop who are contributing to Hip-Hop’s
evolution. The Fresh, Bold, and So Def Women’s Initiative (FBSD), led by the Hip-Hop
Education Center (HHEC) is an intergenerational transnational Hip-Hop feminist movement that
honors, empowers, and preserves the contributions and achievements of women and girls in
Hip-Hop.

“We are extremely proud to elevate the achievements of women in Hip-Hop by bringing global
leaders together to celebrate the brilliance and power of all women in Hip-Hop.” ~ Rachel
Perera Weingeist, Chair, HHEC. “Women have been at the forefront of the business of hip hop
from its beginning. Label executives help develop careers. Sometimes they exploit the artists as
well. It’s a balancing act, running a label. Women navigate that work with guts and grace.” ~
Nana Carmen Ashhurst, Chair, UHHM.

The FBSD programming will kick off with the launch of the FBSD T-Shirt line designed by
artivist Toofly. This year, some of our programming partners include Lincoln Center, Works and

FreshBoldSoDef #WomenInHipHop

Hip-Hop Education Center

The mission of the Hip-Hop Education Center is to catalyze social change and equity through
transnational research, curated and collaborative programming, leadership development, and the
creation of a living repository of Hip-Hop education resources.

https://hiphopeducation.com/donate

Universal Hip Hop Museum

The Universal Hip Hop Museum’s mission is to teach, engage and inspire audiences around the
world through the creativity and power of Hip Hop Culture. The UHHM carries out its mission
by giving voice to the stories of the people, events and artifacts that shaped the five elements of
Hip Hop — through digital collections, virtual exhibits, interviews, pop-up experiences, award
shows, and a wide array of innovative educational programs and activities, bringing new
understanding, fresh interpretation and scholarship to the world’s most popular culture of our
time.

https://uhhm.org/donate

Process at The Guggenheim, Hart House – University of Toronto, Virginia Union University, and
Next Level.

Tuesday, March 8th – 4-5:30 pm EST – International Women’s Day panel discussion
co-presented with Hart House at the University of Toronto, Canada. Women in Hip-Hop:
Erasure, Trailblazers and Placemakers, will be moderated by Dr. Francesca
D’Amico-Cuthbert in conversation with Martha Diaz, President, Hip-Hop Education Center, and
Lyneé Denise, DJ and Hip-Hop Scholar.

Tuesday, March 8th – 7-8:30 pm EST – In partnership with Next Level, a global Hip-Hop
diplomacy initiative with the U.S. Department of State, the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, and Meridian International Center, we will co-present the Internationally Known:
Global Women In Hip-Hop panel moderated by MC and Hip-Hop Ambassador Pinqy Ring in
conversation with Audry Funk (MC – Mexico), Jenisha (Dancer – Nepal), and Shiro One
(Aerosol Artist – Japan), as well as Next Level Hip-Hop Diplomats Amirah Sackett (Dancer),
Toni Blackman (MC) and Queen Herawin (MC).

Wednesday, March 9th – 4:30 – 5:30 pm EST – The inaugural episode of Hip-Hop Genius The
Podcast recorded live at SXSW EDU will feature the legendary, world-renowned, and a
proponent of social-emotional learning, mental health advocate, and award-winning rapper DMC
of Run DMC in a cypher with Martha Diaz, UHHM Chair, Archives, Curatorial, Educational
Affairs.

Monday, March 14, 2022, at 4:30-5:30 pm EST – Rooted in The 757: Memory, Mixtape &
Scholarship Lecture by Regan Sommer McCoy (Mixtape Museum) followed by a conversation

FreshBoldSoDef #WomenInHipHop

Hip-Hop Education Center

The mission of the Hip-Hop Education Center is to catalyze social change and equity through
transnational research, curated and collaborative programming, leadership development, and the
creation of a living repository of Hip-Hop education resources.
https://hiphopeducation.com/donate

with Martha Diaz, Visiting Scholar at Virginia Union University. In partnership with the Center
for African American History and Culture Hip Hop Studies Program, Virginia Union University.

Wednesday, March 16th – 6:30-8 pm EST – Instagram Live – What’s Good, Madame
President?!?: Smashing the Patriarchy in Hip Hop’s Presidential Suite

Moderated by Nicole Duncan-Smith (UHHM Advisor) in conversation with Nana Carmen
Ashhurst (Def Jam/Chair, UHHM) and Monica Lynch (Tommy Boy Records).

Friday, March 18th – 10:00-11 am EST – NY State & City ALLOCATED FUNDS PRESS
CONFERENCE Theme: BRONX Golden Era Hosted by UHHM E.D. Rocky Bucano

Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner of Assembly District 77 will host a presentation of a ceremonial
check for the allocated funds donated to the UHHM during the calendar year of 2021.

Saturday, March 19 – 5 pm-6:30 pm EST – Goddess Mission to Wellness Clubhouse
conversation led by lyricist Nemiss ChiYork on the impact of systemic racism and sexism on
women of color’s health in the HIP HOP EDUCATION room.

Friday, March 25 – 7:30-9:30 pm EST -The Dancefloor: Fresh, Bold & So Def performance
and panel in partnership with Lincoln Center’s Friday Nights at the Atrium and Works and
Process at The Guggenheim. Hosted by Big Tara featuring The Ladies of Hip-Hop, and Marcy
DePina aka DJ MD.

Wednesday, March 30 – 8:00-9:00 pm EST- #BellHooksGotBarz Twitter Spaces

FreshBoldSoDef #WomenInHipHop

Hip-Hop Education Center

The mission of the Hip-Hop Education Center is to catalyze social change and equity through
transnational research, curated and collaborative programming, leadership development, and the
creation of a living repository of Hip-Hop education resources.
https://hiphopeducation.com/donate

Universal Hip Hop Museum

The Universal Hip Hop Museum’s mission is to teach, engage and inspire audiences around the
world through the creativity and power of Hip Hop Culture. The UHHM carries out its mission
by giving voice to the stories of the people, events and artifacts that shaped the five elements of
Hip Hop — through digital collections, virtual exhibits, interviews, pop-up experiences, award
shows, and a wide array of innovative educational programs and activities, bringing new
understanding, fresh interpretation and scholarship to the world’s most popular culture of our
time.
https://uhhm.org/donate

A dynamic free-flowing conversation led by Dr. Kashema Hutchinson, Associate Director of the
Hip-Hop Education Center, and members of the Fresh, Bold & So Def network about the lasting
influence of feminist author bell hooks on the women of Hip-Hop culture.