Photo courtesy Elementz
sIn 2002, Elementz has provided young people with a safe space to express themselves through hip-hop culture and gain knowledge of their history. Founded in response to the 2001 death of 19-year-old Timothy Thomas, shot and killed by police, the nonprofit has become an outlet for the city centre to creatively recharge.
According to executive director Damien Hoskins, Elementz currently offers programming in around 16 different schools in five districts. Over the past two years, more than 2,000 young people from Cincinnati and northern Kentucky have participated in programming for the Cultural Arts Center.
After moving to the largest space, a 5,000-square-foot building near Cincinnati in late January, Elementz resumed programming, including hip-hop dance classes, which are open to everyone.
“We have a multipurpose dance area, which is about 2,000 square feet, about three times as much space as we’ve done so far,” says Hoskins.
Furthermore, he says that Elementz’s programming focuses on exposing young people to the historical evolution of artforms. Beyond learning movements, instructors teach hip-hop dances derived from B-Boy Elements, a multifaceted expression, represented by styles born from various coastal influences.
“We encourage young people to understand these historical backgrounds because understanding history gives them the freedom to be more creative about how they are involved in the present,” says Hoskins. “There’s dance as art therapy. Just as art therapy helps to combat depression and anxiety, there’s movement as art therapy. Many people didn’t identify it with the path of career.”
The importance of the creative economy is taught by all Elementz students, so you know your worth no matter what path you go down.
“We make sure that these kids are seen not only as performers, but as thought leaders in this work,” Hoskins emphasized. “You cannot misuse thought leaders. We must make it possible to tell young people. this is us. We’re not tap dancing for y’all. We will not be misused. We will be part of the decision-making process, the curation of this work.”
