As part of the U.S. Department of State's Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, which elevates music to promote peace and create cross-cultural connections worldwide, the Department announced today that participants from 22 countries will explore how Hip Hop has promoted peace and positive social change, as well as encourage economic growth, with their American counterparts in Washington, DC; New York, NY; and Raleigh and Chapel Hill, NC  during an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) exchange from April 15-26, 2024.

While in Washington, DC, the participants will learn about U.S. society and culture, methods to archive HipHop history, and the role of music and visual arts in empowering youth.  They, along with representatives of National Geographic, the D.C. Arts Commission, and local arts organizations, attended a special panel event and jam session hosted by Next Level at the National Museum for American Diplomacy highlighting Hip Hop diplomacy.  Damian Thomas, the Curator of Sports at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, moderated a panel featuring B-Boy Kareem, B-Girl Macca, Vikki Tobak, and Junious Brickhouse, where the influence of Hip Hop culture and value of exchange were discussed, including the ability of Hip Hop to bring marginalized voices to the table and to give young people a sense of community.

In New York, participants will continue to explore methods for preserving Hip Hop history, diverse voices in arts programming, and the use of Hip Hop in educational initiatives.  They will finish the program in Raleigh and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where they will learn about hip hop in academia and the role hip hop can play in diplomacy.

This IVLP exchange is part of the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, launched by Secretary of State Antony Blinken in September 2023, and aims to promote peace and democracy through music. The project also supports broader U.S. foreign policy goals to expand access to education, economic opportunity and equity, and societal inclusion.

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State's premier professional exchange program.  Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience this country firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts. More than 200,000 International Visitors have engaged with Americans through the IVLP, including more than 500 current or former Heads of State or Government.

For press inquiries, contact the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at [email protected].

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