The PEDC Teams Up With The Hip Hop Foundation
Inspire To Teach Wednesday April 16th 5pm-8pm
The Hive @Spring Point, 30 S 15th St, 4th Floor Philadelphia PA
The PEDC presents: Inspire to Teach, an education forum for high school students and their caregivers, coming up on Wednesday, April 16, 2025! Here’s a preview of everything waiting for you:
🎓 Meet Admissions Representatives From:
Community College of Philadelphia
Get real advice about teacher pathways, mentors, and how to start shaping your future in education.
🎤 Announcing Special Guest Performance by Dell-P!
Experience a live performance by Dell-P, Philly’s powerhouse emcee on-the-rise! You’ve seen him on BET, MTV, and SWAY in the Morning — now hear his inspiring message live.
Then step into a Creative Cypher Workshop led by Zakariya Hardin of The Hip Hop Foundation. A cypher is a freestyle circle where you can express your dreams and stories through original music or drawing — no experience needed. Guiding us through the experience will be Master Of Cyphers and expert freestylist, Tray-Digga. It’s a powerful, fun way to find your voice, connect with others, and get creative skills you'll need as a future teacher.
A Few More Reasons You Don't Want to Miss!
🍽️ Enjoy a Free Dinner
Come hungry — we’ll have dinner ready for all students and families registered!
📱 Enter to Win an iPhone 14
As a registrant, you are already entered into our iPhone 14 giveaway — but remember, you must be present to win!
Event Details:
🗓️ April 16, 2025 \ 🕔 5–8 PM
📍 The Hive at Spring Point is, a modern and vibrant space located at 30 South 15th Street, #4th Floor, Philadelphia
Spots are limited — if you have a friend or family member who hasn’t signed up yet, invite them today!
Featured Performance
Dell-P Live @The Inspire To Teach Forum!
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Dell-P is not just a rapper — he’s a movement. With appearances on BET, MTV, and Sway in the Morning, Dell-P has earned national attention for his razor-sharp lyricism, socially conscious storytelling, and deep connection to community. Hailed as one of the best emcees out of Philadelphia by HipHopDX and other major platforms, Dell-P uses his music as a tool to uplift, educate, and inspire. He’s received accolades including the Philly Hip Hop Award for Lyricist of the Year and continues to embody what it means to use Hip Hop as a force for good. His live set promises to bring unmatched energy and motivation to students thinking about careers in education.
Following Dell-P’s performance, attendees will jump into a powerful Creative Cypher Workshop led by The Hip Hop Foundation’s own Zakaariyah Hardin, alongside freestyle master Tray-Digga. The cypher is more than a circle — it’s a space for expression, empowerment, and raw creativity. Whether you rap, draw, or just want to find your voice, this workshop helps students tap into their unique stories and see how Hip Hop and education go hand-in-hand. No experience needed — just bring your passion and your presence.
Experience The Power Of Education & Hip Hop
Featuring, Zakariya Hardin of The Hip Hop Foundation!
The Philadelphia Education Development Coalition (PEDC) presents an unforgettable education forum for high school students and their caregivers — and this year, it’s getting a major dose of Hip Hop energy and empowerment! At the heart of the evening will be none other than Zakariya Hardin, Executive Director of The Hip Hop Foundation and a legendary figure in Philadelphia’s indie Hip Hop scene. Known for his magnetic presence, groundbreaking youth programming, and decades of community leadership, Hardin will be hosting and presenting a one-of-a-kind Creative Cypher Workshop that blends expression, education, and inspiration like never before.
Zakariya Hardin — also known as T.H.E. (True Hip Hop Entity) — is a cultural force in Philly. As host of the long-running IIour Show Uncut and the current lead of Hipolitics Weekly on Uptown Radio 98.5 FM, he’s been a powerful voice for both Hip Hop artists and social change for over two decades. His work with The Hip Hop Foundation has created life-changing opportunities for young creatives, from cyphers and breakdancing exhibitions to media mentorship and policy awareness. His ability to bridge Hip Hop and education is unmatched, and at Inspire to Teach, he’s bringing that magic to the next generation of teachers.
During the Creative Cypher Workshop, attendees will be invited to step into a freestyle circle — no experience needed! Whether it’s through lyrics, poetry, or visual art, students will have a chance to express their dreams and voices in a supportive and powerful space. Co-led by master freestylist, Tray-Digga. This session is designed to boost confidence, build community, and teach creative skills essential to leading a classroom and inspiring others. It’s not just about music — it’s about mentorship, storytelling, and claiming your place as a future educator.
But that’s just part of the excitement! Attendees will also meet admissions reps from Temple University, Neumann University, and Community College of Philadelphia to explore real pathways into teaching.
The Creative Cypher Workshop
Tray-Digga: Master of Cyphers
The Hip Hop Foundation is proud to welcome Tray-Digga, Philadelphia’s lyrical torchbearer and freestyle champion, as the official Master of Cyphers for the upcoming Inspire to Teach education forum, presented by PEDC. This dynamic workshop, taking place on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at The Hive at Spring Point, will fuse hip hop culture with career exploration and creativity — and there’s no better emcee to lead the charge than Tray-Digga. Known for his electric stage presence, battle-tested bars, and fearless approach to lyrical expression, Tray-Digga will help students and caregivers unleash their stories through freestyle and creative arts.
A true Philly underground icon, Tray-Digga has carved out a reputation as one of the city’s most versatile and relentless emcees. Tray-Digga brings both knowledge and soul to every mic he touches. His lyricism reflects the streets, the struggle, and the strength of Philly’s creative spirit — a perfect match for an event designed to uplift and educate the next generation of teachers and community leaders.
At Inspire to Teach, Tray-Digga will co-lead the Creative Cypher Workshop alongside Zakariya Hardin of The Hip Hop Foundation. This unique freestyle circle invites participants to express themselves through spontaneous rhyme, spoken word, or visual art — no experience required! Tray-Digga’s mission is to spark the imagination and empower students to turn their truths into powerful expressions of identity, culture, and possibility. With his unmatched energy and freestyle mastery, he’ll turn the cypher into a space of transformation and connection.
Whether you’re dreaming of becoming an educator or just want to tap into your creative voice, this event has something for everyone. From meeting college reps and hearing a special performance by Dell-P, to enjoying free dinner and the chance to win an iPhone 14, Inspire to Teach promises to be an unforgettable night. Come witness Tray-Digga set the tone, raise the vibration, and lead the next generation in a cypher of self-expression and purpose.
Be there. Be heard. Be inspired.
