Global Hip-hop movement founder speaking at UWF

Fukushima is the founder of RAPtivism, a global hip-hop project that explores the ways culture contributes to efforts for universal freedom and justice. The project has positively influenced people in 10 countries and four continents by challenging apathy with awareness, ignorance with intelligence and oppression with expression. She has presented at diverse venues such as Stanford University, the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity, UMass Amherst, TEDxSitka, TEDxWhitman and TEDxUWCCR, among others. In 2014, World Trust Educational Services named her their “Love in Action” award winner for Global Hip Hop Leadership.

“With all the political tension and various issues that keep us divided, I believe Aisha Fukushima’s innovative and transformative approach to social change will serve as an inspiration to our entire campus community,” said Dr. Doug Thompson, assistant dean for equity and diversity. “Aisha is a global ambassador who uses the power of words and music to build bridges and bring people together. I believe that her visit will be yet another key element in helping to create a more inclusive campus.”

Fukushima has been honored with a fellowship from Duke University’s Ralph Bunche Institute of Summer Enrichment. Her work has been featured by Oprah Magazine, KQED Public Television, The Seattle Times, TV 2M Morocco and HYPE, South Africa’s No. 1 Hip Hop Magazine, among others. She wants people in her audience to feel empowered, inspired and realigned to build solidarity for a better tomorrow today.

For more information about the event, visit uwf.edu/respect.