By Big Media Agency
To recognize Hip Hop Awareness Month and Youth Homeless Awareness Month, Baltimore native, community advocate and educator, Dr. Tenyo Pearl has created the annual Hip Hop Day of Service in Baltimore City. A powerful event that merges community service, cultural education and youth empowerment, this year’s event will take place at the Franciscan Center on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Credit: Photo Courtesy of Meta (Facebook) / Hip Hop Day of Service 2024
The theme of the 2024 Hip Hop Day of Service is “Hoodies 4A Purpose.” Pearl will host a community of volunteers who will distribute hoodies to those who are in need at the Franciscan Center. The act of giving back aligns with the spirit of hip-hop—unity, solidarity, and resilience. State Senator Anthonio Hayes (D-Md.-40), will provide remarks during the event and Reverend Dr. Clifton Urquhart of Fulton Baptist Church will kick off the event with a prayer for the community. Baltimore’s DJ Focus will set the tone for the day providing a musical tribute to hip hop’s legends.
Pearl, who is a passionate advocate for social justice committed to preparing the next generation of change agents and advocates, is bringing together local youth, activists, and community leaders to honor the rich legacy of hip-hop while taking meaningful steps toward creating change by motivating future leaders and change agents.
“Hip Hop is a movement and a clarion call to action. This day is being used to call our community to action,” says Pearl. “In Baltimore, hip-hop has always been a vehicle to motivate the youth to use their creative talents.”
“Hip Hop is the pulse of our community, a vehicle for social change, and a platform for self-expression,” she said. “The goal with the Hip Hop Day of Service is to tap into that power to uplift and support our youth, provide them with the tools to engage in activism, and create lasting impact in the community.”
Community advocates agree that the pairing of the Hip Hop Awareness Month and Youth Homeless Awareness Month combine perfectly in the Hip Hop Day of Service event.
“As president and CEO of Community Housing Associates and a member of the Baltimore Hip Hop Historical Project committee led by Dr. Tenyo Pearl, I’m honored to support our city’s youth who are experiencing homelessness,” says Nico Sanders. “Our commitment is not only to provide essentials like hoodies, coats, food, and haircuts but also to show them that they are valued and not forgotten. This initiative is about community and compassion, meeting needs today while building hope for tomorrow.”
She remembers the lessons she learned from hip hop growing up. From Grandmaster Flash’s iconic “The Message” to KRS One “My Philosophy,” hip-hop has long given a voice to the marginalized and raised awareness about social justice issues. Today, hip-hop continues to inspire action, with artists like Queen Latifah and Mc Lyte using their platforms to fund scholarships, combat poverty, and promote mental health initiatives.
Baltimore has its own rich history of hip-hop activism, with pioneers like the New Marx’s, We Rock Krew and others setting the stage for the city’s vibrant cultural movement.
This year’s event builds on that legacy by offering Baltimore youth a unique opportunity to engage in community engagement through the lens of hip-hop culture. Organizers say the Hip Hop Day of Service is not just about one day of giving back—it’s about creating a sustainable tradition that empowers young people to continue serving their communities long after the event is over. Just as hip-hop has evolved into a global movement, the Hip Hop Day of Service aims to evolve into an annual tradition that builds on Baltimore’s legacy of cultural and community resilience.
“Here at the Franciscan Center we are committed to our mission of sharing dignity and hope in Baltimore and adapting to our changing needs,” says Reverend Angela Hall. “The Hip Hop Day of Service perfectly personifies this mission as we endeavor to provide youth in Baltimore with that dignity as we meet their needs, but also show them that we see that hip hop has and will continue to be an important part of their evolution.”
“In Baltimore, we’re not just honoring hip-hop’s past—we’re building its future. When we come together through service, we celebrate not only the music but the movement behind it. Hip-hop’s legacy is alive in the hearts of our youth, and it’s our responsibility to use it as we guide them toward creating a better future for us all.”
Event Details:
What: Hip Hop Day of Service – Hip Hop’s Legacy of Service: Re-birthing Activism and Unity Through Culture and Community
When: Saturday, Nov. 16 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: The Franciscan Center, 101 W. 23rd Street, Baltimore, MD
Initiative: Hoodies 4A Purpose – Distributing hoodies to homeless youth in Baltimore
Cost: Free and open to the public. Donations welcome.
For more information contact BmoreHipHoplegacy4life@gmail.com.
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About Tenyo Pearl
Tenyo Pearl is a higher education professional, community organizer and based in Baltimore, MD. With deep commitment to preparing the next generation of leaders, advocates and change agents. Pearl is committed to using hip-hop culture as a platform for social change, youth empowerment, and community healing. She is the visionary founder of the Hip Hop Day of Service, an annual event that brings together young people to serve their communities while learning about the history and legacy of hip-hop as a movement for justice.
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