Last year, the Spelman Women Hip Hop Collective (SCWHHC) was created, Eboni Dawn, to provide Spelman students the opportunity to share their love of hip hop and its culture with likeminded women. Spelman offers no course or program geared solely towards the hip-hop industry, so the organization hopes to “stimulate Spelman students with interests in the industry of Hip-Hop music and culture through fellowship, engagement, empowerment, and community outreach”. The BluePrint sat down with the current president, Kennedy Protho, where she discusses the future of SCWHHC.

Q: Why did you join the Spelman Women Hip Hop Collective?

A: When I was 10, I began producing music, and while I stepped away from it between middle school and high school, when I got to Spelman my love for music came back. However, Spelman doesn’t offer a program specifically for hip hop or R&B, so when I learned about SCWHHC, I knew it was a great chance to immerse myself in the industry and the culture.

Q: What challenges does the club face, compared to other clubs on campus?

A: Mainly red tape from Spelman on who we can bring on campus for guest speakers or to do performances or even promotional events. We have to go through so many hoops to get people on campus, and sometimes even after all of the legal stuff, we still can’t get certain artists to come.

Q: Why should Spelman students join the SCWHHC?

A: For the love of the music and its history and everything that comes with hip hop culture. Also, our E-Board is really helpful with networking, so students can talk to the right people about the careers they're interested in.

Q: Where do you envision the organization in 5 years?

A: I envision SCWHHC as one of the main attractions on Spelman’s campus, with a lot more members who love hip hop and want to learn all they can from [the organization] and who will come back after graduation to help the next generation.

The club also held a few events during homecoming, including a masterclass with R&B singer Ella Mai. The Spelman Women Hip Hop Collective is an organization built to provide Spelman students opportunities to express their love of Hip Hop. For more information on the SCWHHC please follow them on Instagram @spelmanscwhhc.