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For more information on our High School Prep Curriculum click here!
The Hip-Hop Leaders (HHL) Program International is a year-round after-school college prep, technology prep, and mentoring program organized by 1600 Avenue Incorporated, a Los Angeles based 501(c)3. This year-round after-school program uses the excitement of the hip hop culture to connect with at-risk youth (ages 14-18), then motivate and enable them to pursue higher education and technology careers. A key, but small part of our HHL after school program is the renown annual Hip Hop Leaders Conference International held at UCLA. In 2007 this conference was attended by students from South Central Los Angeles, the Greater Los Angeles Area, the San Francisco Bay Area, London, and the United Kingdom. Receiving strong support from over 200 media publications as well as the celebrity, VIP, and educational community, helped last years conference be a huge success and have a profound impact on the at-risk youth we serve.
Also be clear, “Traditional” academic work is completed. By basing our curriculum on the hip hop culture, which is the voice of so many at-risk youth, we are able to engage and motivate our kids into rigorous work. Successful targets include passing state exams and the fulfillment of course requirements to gain entrance into California State Schools.
1600 Avenue continues to focus on providing youth pathways into technology careers
The National Science Foundation recently reported that only 5% of the information technology workforce was made up of Black and Latino employees. The Foundation also estimated that approximately 5 million new jobs in technology may go unfilled due to a lack of a skilled workforce in just the next 3 years alone. Our Technology Preparatory Program addresses the significant under-representation of minorities in US high-tech fields and works to increase diversity in the industry.
In its first two years, prior to the launch of the Hip Hop Leaders Program International, 1600 Avenue initiated a first step in its mission by creating and supporting one of the most successful educational summer camp experiences in the country via The Hip Hop Leadership Camp. Over a four day period in Satterwhite’s native California, over 100 12-15 year olds gathered to experience lessons on life skills, social responsibility, and college preparation through the excitement of music and technology. His team brought together such notables as MTV’s Sway, platinum recording artists E-40, MCLyte, and other music industry heavyweights to lecture and conduct hands-on workshops where students learned the inner-workings of the music industry and the career paths of the professionals such as lawyers, accountants, and business executives that make it possible. Of major importance was also to expose students to a college campus environment who might not otherwise have such an opportunity. Representatives from corporate giants such as Universal Music, MTV Networks, Billboard magazine, Warner Bros. and children from Oakland, East Palo Alto, Compton, Watts, South Central Los Angeles, and San Diego came together for powerful, positive, learning experience In the fall of 2006, the vision expanded. In order to really affect change and combat the staggering high school drop out rates and the associated social costs such as welfare, gang violence, and drug abuse, the Hip Hop Leaders Program International was formed. This new program would focus on 14 to 18 year olds, emphasize technology, and implement a year round college prep curriculum. The Hip Hop Leaders Conference International would become a small part of this year round curriculum and replace the Hip Hop Leadership Camp.
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