Hip-Hop 2 Prevent Substance Abuse and HIV (H2P) is designed to improve knowledge and skills related to drugs and HIV/AIDS among youth ages 12-16 with the aim of preventing or reducing their substance use and risky sexual activity. The program incorporates aspects of Hip-Hop culture–including language, arts, and history–as a social, cultural, and contextual framework for addressing substance use and HIV risk behaviors.

H2P uses a curriculum consisting of 10 modules, called “ciphers,” delivered in 10 2-hour sessions. Through the curriculum’s use of Hip-Hop culture, interactive multimedia, and a mix of traditional but mostly non-traditional methods for positive youth engagement, youth learn information about drugs, HIV/AIDS, and sexual behavior; resistance and refusal skills; effective communication and negotiation skills; information about healthy alternatives to sex and drugs; and prevention self-efficacy skills.

 

 

Youth engagement professionals (e.g., educators, counselors, trainers) deliver the first four modules in after-school or in-school sessions and the remaining modules in a relaxed environment like what we call H2P camp, a 3-day retreat or recreational setting offering students structured learning and recreational activities, team-building experiences, mentoring, and opportunities for creative expression and sharing. Prior to serving as implementers of H2P, program staff must participate in a 2-day training to expand their understanding about the genesis, ideology, and cultural components of Hip-Hop culture, the Hip-Hop Development Theory for positive youth engagement outcomes, and the H2P program overall.

Dr. Hicks Harper has extensively studied and continues to research, explore and evaluate Hip-Hop’s influence within youth popular culture. She is the lead program developer of the Hip-Hop 2 Prevent Substance Abuse and HIV program (H2P) and her doctoral dissertation examined the role of Rap music video for pedagogy. Her 1983 master’s degree thesis is the first worldwide to examine Hip-Hop’s ability to facilitate learning and retention. Dr. Hicks Harper’s Hip-Hop Developmenttm Theory of Change and Practical Application represents the foundation for the H2P curriculum. H2P is currently on the U.S. DHHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Practices and Programs and this 2016 H2P program as well. Dr. Hicks Harper keynotes, lectures and conducts professional development workshops and seminars nationwide and globally, and is President and CEO of the Youth Popular Culture Institute (YPCI). She teaches at Howard University in the School of Education’s Department of Human Development and Psychoeducational Studies.

Timothy is a writer, educator, and pundit of hip-hop culture and youth development. He is a Hip-Hop Scholar in Residence at Teachers College, Columbia University, and was one of the founders of The Cultural Initiative Inc., which developed and implemented the Annual Hip-Hop Conference at Howard University from 1991-1996. Timothy’s commitment to youth and Hip-Hop Development are evident through his work as a workshop developer implementing hip-hop based programming for after school programs and schools throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area and beyond. Timothy is the Director of Youth Operations at YPCI and Chief Visionary Officer of #HipHopEd. #HipHopEd is a weekly twitter chat presenting timely discussions on education and hip-hop that serve as professional development for educators, parents, practitioners and youth.. Timothy is also an ordained minister.

Shelly is a Masters Degree student pursing a career in Information Management. During pursuit of her Bachelors of Arts in Speech Communications, she gained strong researching, writing, communication, and presentation skills. She has worked with children and teens in various capacities, including as a Substitute Teacher, Counselor and Tutor. One of her goals is to work in a non-profit youth-serving organization.

As a biologist, youth advocate, and creative writer, Sudani’s young career has spanned various schools of thought and education. She works extensively with youth and on youth targeted projects at YPCI, and has previously worked with teens in a Health Training capacity. Sudani was just nominated to publish her works in The International Who’s Who of Poetry.