{"id":27687,"date":"2026-03-25T16:39:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T20:39:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/?post_type=story&p=27687"},"modified":"2026-03-25T16:39:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T20:39:24","slug":"clarks-hip-hop-collabo-honors-black-culture","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/2026\/03\/25\/clarks-hip-hop-collabo-honors-black-culture\/","title":{"rendered":"Clark\u2019s Hip Hop Collabo honors Black culture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

\u2018More than just dance, it\u2019s about community, storytelling, and resistance\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dancers in Clark\u2019s Hip Hop Collabo<\/a> sit in a circle before practice begins \u2014 communication and community are just as important as hitting the mark on the dance floor, and this team is rooted in a shared celebration of culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Ismael De La Cruz ’27<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hip Hop Collabo consists of 25 dancers. \u201cWe try to represent Black culture through dance moves and choosing songs from hip-hop or rap artists, important black figures within both of those genres,\u201d says Ella Assouramou \u201926, MAT \u201927, who majors in combined languages<\/a> (Spanish and American Sign Language).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In February, the team used Instagram<\/a> to share the importance of hip-hop in Black history. \u201cMore than just dance, it\u2019s about community, storytelling, and resistance,\u201d the team posted. \u201cHip-hop has been a sanctuary for Black Americans, a space for creativity, expression, and resilience on both coasts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hip Hop Collabo includes members and non-members, an opportunity for people who are not officially in the club to learn choreography and enjoy time with the group. \u201cYou can go and dip your toes and perform without being fully committed to the club,\u201d says Assouramou. During her sophomore year, Assouramou choreographed a routine for the non-members with another team member, Skye Donaldson \u201926, MAT \u201927, a studio art<\/a> major. For Donaldson, being a member of this team reminds her of her childhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n