Reel Sisters Celebrates African Voices Magazine's Hip Hop Issue with Two-Day Event Series

Reel Sisters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to showcasing art, literature, and films by artists of color, is hosting a two-day celebration of African Voices magazine's Hip Hop issue guest edited by Kevin Powell. The events coincide with National Poetry Month and commemorate the 50th anniversary of hip hop. On April 12th, the Riverside Theatre will host an evening of poetry readings and a screening of the Netflix docuseries episode 'Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip Hop.' CR Capers, founder of the Hip Hop Film Festival, will lead a panel discussion featuring Crystal Whaley, co-executive producer of 'Ladies First'; DJ Franchella; Liza Jessie Peterson, director of 'Black Love Manifesto'; and Evangeline Lawson, photographer and cover artist for African Voices' Hip Hop issue.

Derick Cross, African Voices' art director and renowned beatbox performer, will serve as the event's MC, with special performances by poets reg e gaines and Avery Danae Williams. The celebration continues on April 13th with African Voices Hip Hop @ 50 Community Day at The Venue. From 3 pm to 8 pm, attendees can enjoy poetry readings, a creative writing workshop, music, and an open mic session. Limited print copies of the Hip Hop issue, featuring 63 writers spanning four generations, can be purchased online at https://AV Hip Hop @50.

Both events are free, with a suggested donation of $7. For more information, visit https://www.africanvoices.com and https://www.reelsisters.org. This celebration matters because it provides a platform for artists of color during National Poetry Month while honoring hip hop's 50-year legacy through diverse artistic expressions. The events highlight the genre's evolution and cultural impact, particularly through the lens of women in hip hop as explored in the 'Ladies First' docuseries. The inclusion of multiple generations of writers in the magazine issue demonstrates hip hop's enduring relevance across decades.

The panel discussion led by CR Capers brings together industry professionals to discuss the representation and contributions of women in hip hop, addressing both historical context and contemporary perspectives. The community day component expands accessibility through workshops and open mic sessions, encouraging public participation in creative expression. By making both events free with suggested donations, the organizers prioritize inclusion while supporting the nonprofit's mission. The collaboration between Reel Sisters and African Voices magazine creates a multidisciplinary approach to celebrating hip hop culture, connecting visual art, literature, film, and live performance.

This programming acknowledges hip hop as more than just music—it is a cultural movement with literary, visual, and cinematic dimensions that deserve recognition during National Poetry Month. The events serve as an important archival effort, preserving and presenting hip hop's legacy through the voices of those who have shaped it. For attendees, these gatherings offer educational opportunities through workshops and discussions while celebrating artistic achievement. The timing during the 50th anniversary year makes this celebration particularly significant as it contributes to ongoing conversations about hip hop's past, present, and future.