Forthcoming, 2021

In this book, I explore professional practices, ideologies, and ways of thinking, being and doing that all come together to form a theoretical construct called the "hip-hop mindset." Hip-hop culture has been documented and understood to be more than just the music that frames its foundation. And the populations of people who identify with this culture and  comprise what has now become multiple generations of hip-hop are also made up of more than artists. Hip-hop culture is also embedded in the professional acumen of educators, community leaders, politicians, doctors, lawyers, restaurateurs, and writers, all of whom make up the hip-hop community. We are all hip-hop. And we bring a hip-hop mindfulness to how we work and show up in the world. I show up as a scholar who studies education. So, this book is primarily focused on understanding what the hip-hop mindset looks like in the field of education. But the lessons learned and insights shared are relevant across many professions and industries. Ultimately, a hip-hop mindset is a professional praxis that respects and values being both original and innovative. It is a space that welcomes new ways of knowing, being and learning. Creativity is central. Hip-hop habits of mind are marked by high levels of drive, ambition, confidence, self-worth. Hip-hop demands an ethic of excellence-to say it, show it and prove it. We celebrate our greatness. We command attention. We claim our space. In other words we own the spaces we occupy. Brag, boast, pose. These are all necessary forms of self-love. But hip-hop is also a space of honor, community, kinship and grace. Most importantly, the hip-hop mindset gives us all (students, educators or any professional) the permission to show up in life as your full authentic self and shine in your culturally unique way. It gives us freedom. All of this and more is unpacked in the forthcoming book.

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