Findings

Below are data poems from Dr. Keith’s study where he discovered language to answer his three qualitative research questions:

Q1: Who are Hip-Hop Educational Leaders (HHEL) that are spoken word artists, poets, rappers, and mc’s?

A1: “Educat[ional] Emcees” / “Ed Emcees” - this language can function as an evolved professional title or career description for teaching artists and leaders in education, who also use rhythmic spoken words to “move crowds”.

Q2: What conditions do Ed Emcees make possible for student learning and engagement?

A2: “The possibilities for love”- this language reflects the possibilities for Hip-Hop to facilitate the kinds of educational conditions where students can feel loved. As a philosophy of social justice, love represents the core value of diversity, inclusion, and equitable access to educational opportunities for all learners.

Q3: How do rhythmic spoken words function in the everyday lives of Ed Emcees?

A3: “Organic Hip-Hop pedagogy” - this language represents an innate ability for Ed Emcees to engage Hip-Hop culture as source for culturally relevant teaching and educational leadership.