Hip Hop Poetry classes provided by El Centro de la Raza’s Hope for Youth programs help elevate the art forms of poetry and spoken word by adding cultural elements of creative expression and music in the context of finding positive outlets for students to express themselves rather than turning to gangs and violence to achieve a sense of respect. You see that represented well with the youth named "Tiki" dancing in one of the photos in front of his peers (bottom right of photo). Students receive graduation credit for attending the class.

Students in the Hip Hop Poetry class in Denny Middle School's Proyecto Saber Classroom were honored to have guest teachers and artists from 206 Zulu, DJ Tecumseh & DJ Gumbo and Beat Boxer Audio Poet who presented and provided specialization on the hip hop elements of DJ Turntablism and Beat Boxing (center and bottom left photos).

Students in the Hip Hop Poetry Class at the Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center can attend a weekly after school hip hop poetry club for Seattle's immigrant newcomer school located in Queen Anne. This club attracts youth from all across the district to develop their English language skills and emersion support for the public schools. This class is highly diverse and has a considerable number of Asian, African and Latino immigrant youth. Due to language barriers, it is through poetry, music, song and dance that youth have the best opportunity to communicate. B-Boy's Remi and Ernesto taught youth the basics of breakdancing and its international culture.

For more information about the Hope for Youth program, please contact Alex at 206.957.4620 or abautista@elcentrodelaraza.org.