Hey BEAT Fam,
Can you believe 2020 is finally drawing to a close? There’s no denying this has been a rough year in so many ways, and we’ve had things thrown at us that we never thought we’d have to deal with or see in our lifetimes.
But as I look back, I’m realizing that not all surprises this year have been bad. The challenge of physical distancing and mandated site closures motivated us to find new and innovative ways to show our youth, especially our youth with disabilities, that their voices and abilities matter even in the midst of a pandemic.
Here are just a few of the projects that are already underway as we move into 2021: We’re partnering with Swissbeatbox, the world’s largest beatbox platform, to launch an online community for beatboxers with disabilities. We’re working with the American Speech-Language Association (ASHA) to become an accredited Continuing Education (CE) Provider to Speech-Language Pathologists who work with youth with disabilities. Our proven methodology on using beatboxing to improve speech while engaging with clients across races and cultures will be an invaluable new tool in their arsenal. And finally, we’re recruiting artists and self-advocates with disabilities as well as administrators who work in the disability community to join our first ever Disability Advisory Committee. Their insights will be crucial as we restructure our songwriting/music production, breakin’, and Hip Hop visual art programs to be fully inclusive of learners with disabilities.
We hope you’re just as fired up as we are about increasing access to the healing power of the arts that only Hip Hop can provide. You make all of our life-changing work possible.
Later this week, my colleagues Christina and Lulu are going to call you and ask for your support. Will you answer that call & show up for our youth with your donation of $50? We can’t do this necessary work without you. | 
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