The Black American Studies Program and the Reece Museum hosted “Hip Hop History: A Cultural Celebration,” a series of events that seeks to encourage diversity.
Dr. Daryl Carter, a co-sponsor and a guest lecturer of “Hip Hop History,” shared that the organizers behind the event have high hopes for a large audience turnout, as well as a fun, meaningful experience for attendees.
“We’re building something here that will hopefully have a positive impact on the campus,” Carter said. “I think [the audience] will come away with a greater appreciation of the genre, of the culture, of difference and diversity.”
The cultural celebration will take place all throughout the month of November, starting with the unveiling of a new art exhibition at the Reece Museum at the first of the month. The first event of the series was “Hip Hop Family Day,” featuring music, dance and spoken word performances, on Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Carter’s “The Business of Hip Hop” lecture will focus on the origins, economic issues and popularity of the hip-hop genre. The presentation is free and open to the public, and will take place at the Reece Museum on Nov. 9, from 12-1:30 p.m..
The series of events continues with the “Appalachian Hip Hop Jam” on Nov. 10, from 5-7 p.m. The final event is a lecture from Dr. Regina Bradley, an award-winning writer and researcher of the Black American South, taking place at the Reece Museum on Nov. 15, from 1-2:30 p.m.
Carter intends for the “Hip Hop History” series to not only expose the ETSU community to people from all walks of life but also to provide an opportunity to learn about the history and impact of the genre, as well as an opportunity to relax and have fun.
“Diversity is something to be championed, it’s something to be embraced, it’s not something to be fearful of,” Carter said. “We’re better when we have diversity. It makes us [ETSU] a stronger, better institution.”
