Hip Hop Youth Research and Activism (HHYRA) Conference Call for Proposals

The annual Hip Hop Youth Research and Activism (HHYRA) Conference will take place on Friday April 11th from 9am-2pm at Rutgers University and will feature workshops and presentations focused on ideas of youth identities, popular culture, and social justice led by high school and college students whose proposals are accepted by the HHYRA Leadership Board.

The theme of this year’s conference is: 

 “We Got Next: Amplifying the Power, Possibility, and Performance of Youth Voice.”

Proposals will be accepted until 11:59pm on Saturday, March 1st. 

             Applicants for the 2025 HHYRA Conference can propose one or more of one of the following:

●      30 or 60 -minute workshop (interactive session that teaches/explores an idea or skill)

●  Visual Art (one or more pieces that you can bring with you to be displayed at the conference)

●      30 or 60- minute Panel or Symposium (An informative session with multiple presentations)

Proposals should align with the goals and theme of the conference and should detail what will happen during the session and what participants might expect to learn.

Students whose proposals are accepted will be invited to the virtual Pre-Conference Leadership Training Institute (Date TBA).

Your proposal should include the information below.

❏ Name; Email; City and State of Primary Residence; Age or Year in School; Co-presenters (if any)

❏    Choose one of the three Submission Types:

▪   Workshop

o   This is an interactive activity that will be held for 30 or 60 minutes. It should have clear learning goals or takeaways.

▪       Symposium

o   This is a 30 or 60- minute session in which individual presentations are shared, including papers, projects, research, films, etc. Each session should include a Q&A or dialogue with the audience. 

▪       Visual Art

o   This is a piece of original art that you will bring to the conference to be displayed in the conference gallery.

❏ Proposal strands that your submission addresses. Check all that apply.

▪   Poetry

▪   Music

▪   Writing

▪   Rap

▪   Theatre

▪   Art

▪   Research

▪   Leadership

▪   Media Literacy

▪   Production

▪   Advocacy

▪   Healing/Self-Care

After selecting the proposal type, include details below:

●      Title

●      Description

●      Agenda with Time break down

●      What is the goal of the session? What will the audience take away from your proposed workshop?

●      Are there any materials that we will need to supply you with? Please be specific.

❏    Lastly, submit a 75-100 word bio for each presenter written in 3rd person and sharing academic, artistic, and/or professional goals and accomplishments.

*You can choose to submit a video proposal instead by linking your video submission in the “agenda” section of your proposal and writing N/A in the “audience takeaway” section.

*If you are submitting a piece of visual art, describe your piece and how it ties to the conference theme.

             Sample Proposal

             Name: Sofia Brown   Email: sofbrown@gmail.com New Brunswick, NJ

             Title: Social Justice in Beyoncé’s Hip Hop Legacy

Description: Students will analyze and interpret the lyrics of superstar and advocate Beyoncé’s music.  Students will find the hidden messages about female power, black feminism, equality, and social justice fabricated in her catchy tunes.

             Strands: Music, Writing, Media Literacy        Proposal Type: Workshop

             Agenda: (in Minutes)

             0-5   Introduction to myself,

             5-20 Analyzing two songs’ lyrics stanza by stanza

             20-30   Watching the music videos for comparison

             30-45   Discussing and comparing the songs hand in hand

             45-60 Discussing major takeaways

Goals: Participants will walk away with a sharper understanding of how modern hip hop artists use their music to address societal issues. Will also strengthen analytical skills in interpreting popular music. 

             Presenter needs: Computer projector; Pencils and paper