As a result of the global and racial pandemic that has impacted our communities of color, it is evident that there are challenges and inequities that are amplified in our educational systems. While it is important to address these inequities, we cannot forget to celebrate and acknowledge the resilience, the strength, and the joy that our youth and students bring into our educational spaces. How do we begin to move from the metaphorical shelter-in-place to space of infinite possibilities?
Rock The School Bells hosted a webinar on Friday, March 19 titled, “Get Free: Creating Space of Infinite Possibilities through Hip Hop Based Counseling Practices” to over 150+ attendees made up of K-12 counselors, college counselors, social workers, mental health practitioners and counseling graduate students. This event provided attendees with an opportunity to learn about the phenomenal work by counseling professionals who utilize Hip Hop based counseling practices in various settings such as K-12, college counseling, and community-based counseling that meaningfully centers the lives and experiences of their youth and students.
In addition, there were three different breakout tracks (K-12, College, and Community-Based counseling) that allowed attendees to connect, collaborate, learn from, and share ways in which they have utilized Hip Hop to inform their counseling practices working with youth and students.
Thank you to President Dr. Moreno for sharing her welcome remarks, Dr. Raphael Travis for his timely and necessary keynote address, and our panelists – Kim Davalos, Adam Freas, Dr. Ian Levy, Juana Tello, and Qiana Spellman for sharing their knowledge and insights around utilizing Hip Hop based counseling practices in their work. Also, this event would not be possible without the support of our campus partners including Dean Russell Waldon, Michelle Amaral, Kim Davalos, Mandy Lucas, Alvin Gubatina, Charlie Morales, our RTSB planning team and our RTSB campus partners from De Anza College, Sacramento City College, and RTSB Hawaii. A huge thanks goes to Roger Marcelo for his assistance behind the scenes to ensure a smooth and successful event.
To view the webinar, check out the link.
For more information, please contact Nate Nevado at nevadon@smccd.edu or visit our website at www.rocktheschoolbells.com.
Article written by: Nate Nevado
Flyer Design by: David Nguyen
