Meet Our Speakers
Dr. Richardson's research interests include language, literacy, and discourse practices of Afro diasporic cultures, sociolinguistics, critical discourse studies, the education and literacy of Afro diasporic people. Richardson belongs to a network of scholars interested in Hiphop and education. Her outreach efforts include cultural literacy projects focusing on youth empowerment and mentoring.Dr. Richardson's Awards include: Cleveland State University Distinguished Alumni Award (for outstanding contributions to the profession, community and Cleveland State University, 2007; Edward Fry Book Award, National Reading Conference for, African American Literacies, 2005. Fulbright Scholar Award Lecturing and Research, University of the West Indies, Mona, August-December, 2004; Outstanding Book Award by National Communication Association for Understanding African American Rhetoric , co-editor with Dr. Ronald Jackson, 2004.
Visit my website https://carmen.osu.edu/pages/personal/211002/Elaine%20Richardson.htm
CirclingThe Elements: Reflections on Hip-Hop Landscape Conference
Keynote
Dr. Elaine Richardson
Christopher
"Play"
Martin
Kawachi
Clemons
Nationally known to many Hip Hop movie and music fans as Play from the rap and acting duo Kid 'n Play starring in the box office, New Line Cinema hits House Party and the sequels House Party 2 and 3. Their other phenomenal achievements also include the Warner Bros. movie cult Hip Hop hit "ClassAct," a NBC television cartoon series, a Marvel Comic book series, four successful albums / CDs titled 2 Hype, Funhouse, House Party soundtracks, national commercials for Burger King and Sprite. National magazines, television talk and music shows from Oprah Winfrey to the American Music and Soul Train Awards and touring the country with other rap icons from Salt'n Pepa andTupac Shakur with Digital Underground to Public Enemy and NWA, etc.
Whata dream come true! Born and raised in Queens, New York Christopher graduated from Jr. High School and was accepted to 3 of New York's top music and art schools. He chose the School of Art & Design, but after quickly becoming disappointed and bored with the school's routine Christopher quit. After numerous no where jobs with limited knowledge Christopher decided to explore and paint on a different type of canvas for his life in the streets of New York. On that journey Christopher met and became very close with several talented people thati ncluded Hurby "The Love bug" Azor, becoming the super producer and manager of many Hip Hop icons and soon after Christopher "Kid" Reid.
Fueled by hopes, dreams and aggressive fortitude this small group from Queens, N.Y. achieved and proved a higher level for Hip Hop in movies and music that has made the hip hop culture a global phenomenon. Now fueled with a new drive, purpose and hope, Christopher Martin is founder and visionary of Hp4 Digital Works & Solutions. Using a 25 year plus experience in the entertainment business, Hp4 Digital Works and Solutions provides a service that helps today's visionary accomplish their quest in multimedia projects from PSAs to full length features.
Christopher still remembers what it's like to be confronted with rejection and closed doors when people don't understand or believe in you. With that Hp4 Digital Works & Solutions recently launched Brandnewz.com and Christopher serves as Executive Producer overseeing mass communication major students from different colleges and universities.
The goal is to report and expose positive individuals and events making a difference in their communities around the world in education, health, politics, entertainment, sports and more."I try to pass on to everyone something a very wise man once said to me that never forgot. Sometimes to be the best at what you do, you have to actually create that category..."
Christopher Martin is a recipient of the 2007 New York International Film Festival Award for best feature documentary for his production on "Welcome to Durham." Christopher has received a Grammy and Stellar nomination for his production contribution with "Taking the Gospel to the Streets" 1, 2 and 3 compilation cd series and the successful release of "Holy Hip Hopthe Movie" a DVD documentary.
He’s completing his 4th documentary titled“Can Hip Hop Go To School” and is Executive Producer of the television and web comedy series “FAIL” about the antics of 6 college students making it in school.Christopher served as Artist in Residence at Miles College in Birmingham,Alabama from 1998 to 2000, North Carolina Central University for their credited Hip Hop in Context 101 classes and works in the Hip Hop Initiative department at NCCU in the video and television production from 2004 to 2010. Christopher has also served as Producer in Resident at Healthy start Academy in Durham, N.C. working with 6 and 8th grade students helping them use positive Hip Hop media as a tool for a successful education in 2005.Christopher served as Professional in Residence at Florida A&M University in the Music Industry & Hip Hop Institute and development content in the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication. Christopher now lectures and presents his story to colleges and universities that have included Stanford University, Duke University, University of Florida,Chapel Hill of North Carolina, Fayetteville State University, University ofIllinois, Western New England University, A&T University, Winston-Salem State University, Livingston College, St. Augustine’s College, Tuskegee University and more. He’s also a consultant for the Music Choice cable network.
Prior to his work at NCCU, Clemons was an Assistant Director in the Office of Student Affairs at Florida International University (FIU). He has served on the production staff of The Academy Awards, Super Bowl XXXIII Halftime Show, and has managed numerous special events with Walt Disney Entertainment.
Dr. Clemons is a former music educator with Miami-Dade County Public Schools. His pedagogical practices focus on the inter-relationship of artistic agency (problem-posing and problem-solving in the arts) and culturally responsive teaching. Clemons earned his bachelor's degree in music education from FAMU and a master of music degree in production and arts management from FIU. He received his Ph.D. in Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he taught courses in Arts Education.
Dr. Clemons presents frequently on music, culture and education in national and international platforms including: the American Educational Research Association, American Educational Studies Association, the National Youth At Risk Conference, Duke University, Kenyatta University (Nairobi, Kenya) and the Bahamas Ministry of Education. He has been invited to speak before the Board of Editor’s of the Negro Educational Review, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education’s John Hope Franklin Symposium and the Florida Music Educators Association.
Dr. Clemons is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, American Educational Research Association, American Educational Studies Association, Percussive Arts Society and the Interlochen Alumni.
Regina
Bradley
Regina N. Bradley, Ph.D is an instructor of English and Interdisciplinary Studies at Kennesaw State University. She earned her Ph.D in African American Literature at Florida State University in 2013. Regina writes about post-Civil Rights African American literature, the contemporary U.S. South, pop culture, race and sound, and Hip Hop. Her current book project explores how hip hop (culture) sensibilities can be used to navigate race and identity politics in this supposedly postracial moment of American history. Regina has two forthcoming articles: “Conceptualizing Hip Hop Sonic Cool Pose in Late 20th and 21st Century Rap Music” in Current Musicology and “Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.?: the Messy Organic Intellectualism of Tupac Shakur” in the Journal of Hip Hop Studies. Also known as Red Clay Scholar, a nod to her Georgia upbringing, Regina maintains a blog and personal website – www.redclayscholar.com. She can also be reached on Twitter: @redclayscholar.
Ed
Lover
Hip Hop Ambassador Ed Lover has been on the entertainment scene for over 20 years. A highly respected industry mainstay, this former MTV VJ boasts skills as an actor, comedian, club Deejay and radio personality. Before reaching his fame on MTV's highly rated 90's show Yo! MTV Raps, Ed Lover belonged to the eccentric and enigmatic hip-hop collective known as NO FACE. During his second year on Yo! No Face released their debut album “Wake Your Daughter Up” on their Def Jam/Rush Associated Label, No Face Records. Ed Lover along with partners Shah and Mark Sexxx were the first label to give noted director Hype Williams a shot at video directing. When MTV got wind of the adult content of “Wake Your Daughter Up”, Ed Lover was given an ultimatum by MTV brass to either leave No Face or leave MTV. Due to his power to program the videos on Yo! The group decided it would be in the best interest of the label if Ed stayed on at MTV. As a result, there are no pictures, credits or mention of Ed Lover on the album. However, if you listen, Ed is clearly heard all over the project. Ed and his partner Doctor Dre continued to co-host Yo! MTV Raps which became the mainstream platform for 90's rap music videos, introducing hip hop culture to the world. The Ed and Dre alliance led to hosting the nationally syndicated “The Morning Show” with Ed, Lisa, and Dre on New York City's own Hot 97. Being the first all hip hop morning show in the country gave birth to all hip hop stations to follow. In 1993 Ed Lover went on to co star and write the story for New Line Cinemas largely successful movie “Who's The Man”. The duo released the certified gold album “Back Up Off Me” as well as the book “Naked Under our Clothes”. The duo continued to release music, act and perform together for well over a decade. Today, Ed Lover continues to impact entertainment across all platforms. He has appeared as an actor on According to Jim, The Jamie Foxx show, The Cosby Show, and most recently USA network smash hit Psych. He has appeared as a host of HBO's KO Nation as well as the cult classic Battle Dome. He continues to perform as a stand up comedian all over the country. And his highly popular show Ed Lover and Friends recently sold out the world famous Caroline’s Comedy club in NYC. "Just being me, staying grounded, my family and belief in God is what has sustained up until this point" says Ed about his ability to be successful in entertainment. Ed has mastered his use of in depth industry knowledge to continue his pop culture commentary and comedy performances, most notably through his hilarious and poignant web series C'mon Son which pokes fun at pop culture, celebrities, politics and the world. Ed has garnered over 5 million YouTube page views with C'mon Son, a Facebook fan page with over 150,000
Kierra
Lawrence
Due to listening to Hip Hop legends and writing poetry at a young age, Lawrence remains highly interested in various genres of music. During free time, she enjoys drifting away into pedagogical lyrics by Lauryn Hill, Janelle Monae, and other artists. Ms. Lawrence is a 2013 recepient of Albany State University Center for Undergraduate Research award. Her presentation showcases the project that she researched for the Center.