I Use Hip-Hop Pedagogy as a Culturally Relevant Approach in the Urban Classroom & Church.

Dr. Nicole “Nikki Knowledge” Hudnell is the self-proclaimed “Daughter of Hip-Hop”. She is the
founder of the Hip Hop Ed youth program and non-profit organization The HERC based in her hometown of the Bronx, New
York. Dr. Hudnell received her associate in early childhood education, Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies with a
minor in Latino and Caribbean Studies, a Master in Youth Ministry, and a Doctor of Next Generation Ministry focusing on Hip-Hop Theology. Dr. Hudnell believes Hip-Hop is the culture of the youth and the answer to the many issues concerning young people today. As an educator, Dr. Hudnell has used Hip Hop culture as a tool to get young people excited about learning. As a minister in training
Dr. Hudnell is also helping to engage young people in the church by using Hip-Hop as a theo-pedagogical tool at Bethel Gospel Assembly youth ministry.
Because of her work in the Hip-Hop education field, she had the pleasure of speaking at
Higher Learning institutions such as Columbia University, Harvard Graduate School of
Education, Rutgers University, and Ohio State University. In addition, Dr. Hudnell also put together the first-ever Hip-Hop.
Culture conference called #HowtoHipHop: Embracing the Elements, where people from all over
gathered at Lehman College Africana Studies Department to celebrate Hip-Hop History
month. What she takes the most pride in, however, is being able to say “I, [like most girls from The
Bronx] am a “Daddyless Daughter” I didn’t have a father growing up, but I did have Hip-Hop.”