12th Annual CommUniversity Conference: National Hip Hop Congress comes to Sacramento

Independent culture, education & grassroots activism take center stage August 28–30 under the banner ‘Energize. Organize. Revolutionize.’

Hip Hop Congress International Convention 2025, hosted by Atlanta, GA Hip Hop Congress chapter. Image provided by Anita Tobin

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Grassroots organizers, educators, artists and community advocates are preparing to gather in Northern California as the 12th Annual Hip Hop CommUniversity International Conference arrives in Sacramento from Friday, Aug. 28 through Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026.

Operating under the theme “Energize. Organize. Revolutionize.,” the landmark national convention is hosted this year in collaboration with the Auburn Hip Hop Congress. Hosting responsibilities highlight Northern California’s longstanding role in advancing Hip Hop as a mechanism for education, media literacy, intergenerational dialogue and grassroots activism.

For nearly three decades, the Hip Hop Congress network has connected local organizers, artists, educators and activists through university campuses and regional chapters across the United States and internationally. The annual conference serves as the movement’s premier gathering to foster collaboration, leadership development and innovative approaches to community transformation.

The broader Hip Hop Congress network originated in 1993 through early regional chapters before formalizing into a unified national movement in 2001 in an effort to connect, network and create positive change in communities. Officially holding its first national conference in 2004, the organization has grown to encompass 25 active chapters across university campuses, high schools and international communities.

Video interviews about featured speakers, artists, creatives and professionals at the 11th Annual Hip Hop Congress Convention that took place in Atlanta, GA on June 27-29, 2025. Available on YouTube. For more information about Atlanta’s chapter and Hip Hop Congress, view their website at www.hhcatl.org and www.hiphopcongress.com.

Culture, Equity & Decolonization

While commercial channels often reduce Hip Hop culture to surface entertainment, Hip Hop Congress operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit network dedicated to preserving, standardizing and elevating the foundational elements of the movement: DJing and turntablism, emceeing, music production, breakdancing, graffiti art and beatboxing.

Organizers emphasize that Hip Hop serves as a direct vehicle for social engagement, youth empowerment, mental health awareness and peer-led harm reduction education. Highlights of this year’s programming focus on gender equity and cultural preservation. A featured keynote address by Miss Marianna Sousa, titled “Decolonizing Hip Hop,” examines how commercialization, patriarchy and colonial systems influence media representations of women and girls, while offering strategies to restore Hip Hop’s legacy as a tool for resistance, media literacy and healthy storytelling.

Three Days of Culture and Activism

The three-day Sacramento assembly features public programming, workshops, live showcases and service projects:

Friday, Aug. 28 (Oak Park Brewing Co. & Midtown Live):

2:45 PM (Oak Park Brewing Co.): Conference kick-off and youth-led Harm Reduction Education Project presentation focusing on peer safety and informed decision-making.
7:00 PM (Midtown Live): Evening showcase headlined by Scarub of Living Legends alongside special HHC musical guests.

Saturday, Aug. 29 (MusicLandria, 10 AM – 8 PM):

Land Acknowledgement and song by Richie Ledreagle.
Keynote & Interactive Workshop: “Decolonizing Hip Hop” with Miss Marianna Sousa.
Educators Panel featuring Jamier Sale, Mecca Don and guest advocates.
Afternoon workshops covering freestyle, music publishing, youth dance, performance, graffiti arts, and presentations with Rahman Jamaal, DeFranco Brocks, Malcolm X Academy, JustUs Dance, Scarub, Rock the School Bells and Graffiti 4 Good.
Evening concludes with an All Elements Showcase celebrating the full spectrum of Hip Hop arts. (Proceeds support MusicLandria’s drum and beatmaking space; $10 suggested donation, no one turned away).

Sunday, Aug. 30 (Southside Park): Get Back, Give Back & Park Jam

Outdoor community service initiative and closing Park Jam featuring performances, vendors, and interactive activities.
Participating community partners include NorCal Resist, Poor People’s Campaign, C.R.E.W. Collective, Liberation Book Club, WeGrow Farms, Ujamaa Farmer Collective, Graffiti 4 Good, Sacramento Climate Coalition and AlphabetEX (Graffiti x Martial Arts).

The weekend features an expansive lineup of presenters, DJs, and artists including Davey D, AC, Raza, Anita T, Rahman Jamaal, DLabrie, Mic Jordan, Melkez4sho, M’ster Lewis, VQ, DJ Neuroflow, DJ JayTwo, DJ Vangloryus, Rebel Servant, The Difference, Black & Brown Movement, Mountain Lion, Steven Payán, Desirae Harp, Stan Padilla and Mignon Geli.

Streamed live from the Auburn Avenue Research Library in Atlanta, Day 2 of the Hip Hop Congress 2025 International Conference features an incredible Saturday lineup of panels, workshops, and live showcases led by Professor J Rawls, Sparky D, Emile YX and more.

Connect, Book & Build a Chapter

Whether you are looking to book performing artists or educators, host community workshops, coordinate event logistics, or launch a brand-new Hip Hop Congress chapter in your region, reach out directly to the leadership team:

General Inquiries, Workshop Booking & New Chapters: NationalOffice@hiphopcongress.com / hiphopcongressinc@gmail.com
Auburn Hip Hop Congress / Regional Coordination: AuburnHipHop@gmail.com
Local Sacramento Chapter Contact: 530payan@gmail.com