The first “Rap on the Gap” event was an opportunity to share ideas about the potential for developing more commercially-viable, pro-achievement messages in hip hop music. In addition, the discussion considered ways of helping young people to be thoughtful consumers of hip hop music and other expressions of popular culture.

Spanning a range of sectors and perspectives, panelists included Steve Perry, Principal of the Capital Preparatory Charter School in Hartford, CT, Daren Graves, Assistant Professor of Education at Simmons College, and J-Live, Hip Hop Artist/MC and Teacher, New York. The session was moderated by Jay Huguley, Doctoral Candidate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Huguley. Ron Ferguson, AGI Director, gave a brief introduction to highlight relevant findings from recent research.

Attendees had the opportunity to interact with panelists to explore critical questions, including:

* Is it possible to increase the prevalence of pro-achievement messages in hip hop music? What does research tell us about whether this might matter for student achievement?

* How can we help young people, across gender and racial groups, become “healthy consumers” of popular culture, and hip hop music in particular?