The groundbreaking February event hosted by the Health, Hope and Hip Hop Foundation marked a new milestone with its inaugural “Hip Hope Ball: A Celebration to Ignite Change” on the final day of Black History Month. Bringing together Hip-Hop icons and healthcare advocates, the star-studded gala aimed to raise awareness about multiple myeloma and other cancers affecting the Black community.
Established by Oya Gilbert, a multiple myeloma survivor and advocate, the foundation has emerged as a powerful voice in promoting health awareness. Gilbert's personal journey from diagnosis to activism uniquely positions him to use Hip-Hop culture as a platform for crucial health education.
Not only recognized for his health advocacy, Gilbert, known in the rap world as Grand G, has made a significant impact as an MC. His influence on Hip-Hop's foundational figures has had a lasting impact, as highlighted by testimonials from industry luminaries like Young Guru, who credited Gilbert for shaping his own successful career path.
The event featured electrifying performances from renowned artists like Freeway, who shared his personal health struggles as a kidney transplant recipient, and Slick Rick “The Ruler,” whose show-stopping act turned the fundraiser into a soulful celebration with a meaningful cause.
Sponsored by top pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, the gala attracted influential personalities including Hip-Hop pioneers Chuck Creekmur and Grouchy Greg Watkins, along with healthcare leaders like Dr. Joseph Mikhael and Rob Ruckman. Noteworthy speakers and awardees emphasized the importance of addressing health disparities in minority communities, particularly in the context of diseases like multiple myeloma that disproportionately affect Black Americans.
Through its innovative approach of blending Hip-Hop culture with health advocacy, the Health, Hope & Hip Hop Foundation, led by Gilbert, is pioneering a fresh model of community engagement. By leveraging cultural connections and authentic voices from within the Hip-Hop community, the foundation aims to drive awareness, advance research, and empower early detection efforts to combat life-threatening illnesses.
The inaugural “Hip Hope Ball” served as a testament to Gilbert's vision of uniting the influence of Hip-Hop with critical health education, signaling the start of a movement poised to save lives and make a lasting impact on health outcomes in communities of color.