Teaching for Liberation

“In their insightful new book, “Teaching for Liberation,” Adjapong and Allen remind us that, first and foremost, hip-hop is a culture of possibility. The history of hip-hop illustrates the magic that happens when we allow youth to be free. By pushing us to re-member the cultural and soulful spirit that formed its roots, the authors compel us to give Black and Latinx youth their long due respect. This book also honors the researchers who have long valued the ingenuity of hip-hop youth and staked careers on documenting that brilliance. In the beautiful tradition of the porch and the stoop, readers are gifted the opportunity to witness rich conversations with hip-hop intellectual trailblazers. In these truth-telling talks, these prolific scholars reflect on how far we have come and use that prideful history to propel us forward in new, life-giving directions.” Toby Jenkins, Associate Provost & Professor University of South Carolina “Teaching for Liberation is a powerful journey into our wildest dreams for the future of education and hip-hop. Grounding this exploration in conversations with pivotal scholars and community-engaged educators, Drs. Adjapong and Allen engage readers in a dialogue that honors hip-hop’s 50-year history, reflects on where the field of hip-hop education is now and bridges theory and practice providing practical tools to begin working toward a future rooted in empowerment and liberation.” Courtney Rose, Professor of Education, Public Scholar and Author of Woven Together: How Unpacking Your Teaching Identity Creates a Stronger Learning Community “Adjapong and Allen’s book offers a glimpse into the thinking of prominent scholars and educators who have been critical to the development of the field of Hip Hop Education. If you weren’t backstage, or in the teacher’s lounge, this book takes you there.” Casey Philip Wong, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Social Foundations of Education at Georgia State University “Teaching for Liberation is a must-read that propels its readers into the urgent work of dreaming into the future of hip-hop education. It sits us at the feet of noted scholars, decades of research, wisdom, and practice to forward the critical power of hip-hop culture and educational justice.” Jamila Lyiscott, Associate Professor of Social Justice Education Founding Co-director of The Center of Racial Justice and Youth Engaged Research University of Massachusetts Amherst “As Hip Hop has reached its 50th year, and as the field of Hip Hop Education has further matured, Adjapong and Allen interrogate the most pressing questions facing the field and its praxisioners today. This book is a compilation of wisdom from Hip Hop Education’s most influential and forward-thinking sages. Both in form and substance, Adjapong and Allen stretch our imagination for the radical possibilities for the future of Hip Hop Education and education writ-large.” Daren Graves, Professor of Social Work and Education Simmons University