All of the Above
Hip Hop Academy
Monthly Newsletter: September 2023
Thank you, Lansing Community & Beyond!
Before we move on to fall happenings we need to take a moment and honor the Lansing community and beyond for showing up at this year's Cap City Jam!
Hundreds of people gathered to experience, cheer on, and engulf themselves in an unforgettable full day of hip-hop in Downtown Lansing.
Relive the day with pictures, videos, and a live mix tape!
Program Announcements
Back-to-School Tour
10 events! 5 schools! 1 Team!
Our synergy is high after a "tour" of a few Lansing Back-to-School events and assemblies!
The team recapped the week describing it as a great experience meeting new families, amplifying our signal, and connecting with school staff around Lansing.
Huge shoutout to the exceptional staff at Post Oak Academy, Lansing Charter, Dwight Rich, Eastern High School, and Blue Owl on MSU Campus!
High School Program
In May of last school year, we started a pilot program called The Cook Up at Eastern High School. This afterschool club is in partnership with our instructors, the Lansing School District, and the AOTA Griots.
We're back again this year with students signed up and ready to begin some exciting fall semester projects: A collaboration with the Eastern marching band and a graffiti backdrop project for Homecoming.
Our goal is to eventually see this program implemented in all the Lansing School District High Schools. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to grow this important, unique, and exciting program collaboration!
Youth Programs
AOTA class registrations are open and will resume in October. If you or someone you know wants to sign up, click or share the link below!
Registration closes September 20, 2023.
Community Engagement
Thank you to our Sponsors
We are so grateful to our sponsors who helped make Cap City a success!
By partnering to bring this event to Lansing we gathered with people from all over the country and even internationally!
We know that without you, this event would not have been the success that it was!
Shoutout and Thank you to:
Meijer and the team at Capital City Market, The Community Foundation, Lansing Public Media Center, Craig Jones, Julie, and the whole team at the Lansing Shuffle, and Nick at Blue Owl!
AOTA Sneaker Gala at Urban Beat
BREAKING NEWS: The Sneaker Gala location has changed!
New Location: Urban Beat in Old Town, Lansing.
Same Date: October 20th, 2023 from 6 pm to 8 pm.
With catering by Tantay, attendees rocking formal attire and their favorite sneakers, performances from our instructors and participants, live band and DJ, raffle and auction, videos...and the list goes on...it's going to be momentous!
You can get your ticket or sponsorship info here!
Highlights
Staff Highlight
James Gardin // Youth B.A.R.S. Coordinator
We can hear his laugh now just thinking of what to say about the dynamic instructor and educator, James Gardin!
His frequent phrase, "Listen to the whispers," gets lived out by James each session as he catches the undertone of what students are thinking on, murmuring about, and questioning. Whether about an artist they've heard, a question about the societal impact of music, or wanting to be brave but having a hard time doing that, he mindfully asks questions and starts conversations to create a safe and productively vulnerable space where kids can grow their confidence and voice.
What comes of this in the classroom? The bravery to get on the mic, create a beat, and show up for their classmates. What comes of this outside of class? SEL [ Yale article on social-emotional learning ] elements are sprinkled throughout every one of our classes and James stewards this so beautifully in the B.A.R.S. program.
James, thank you for caring about the students and facilitating a safe space for them to explore their creativity in music plus grow in confidence. We see you! And we cheer you on to another great season of Youth B.A.R.S.!
Student Highlight
This month we're highlighting the breaking students as a whole! Many of our Breaking 101 & 102 students came out to the Cap City Workshop to learn from Bgirl PepC and Bboy Morris.
They took on new challenges, tried something new, and got to meet other breakers from around our region, plus meet the incredible workshop facilitators who are both going to be in the Olympics in 2024!
It's going to be so special when we all cheer them on during the Olympics after meeting them in person and learning directly from these champions!
Thanks for showing up, students! You're amazing and we can't wait to see you all again in October for class!
#Build517
Thank you so much to our supporters, sponsors, and community partners!
We will never stop saying THANK YOU for your support because our gratitude is ever-present!
Let's continue to #build517 together with three ways to give:
Volunteer: Fill out the volunteer form and get involved with events in the community.
Spread the Word: Hit forward on this email and send to a friend who'd like to know about what we're doing.
Donate: Buy a ticket to the gala, give a one-time gift, or become a monthly donor.
Old school appreciation, new school application.
#EachOneTeachOne
#Build517
