On Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., the Gephardt Institute of is hosting a Civic Skill Building Event with local rapper and activist T Dubb O of Hands Up United for a conversation around building a movement.
St. Louis is a hub for grassroots, community-centered, liberatory movement organizing. The region’s modern culture and historical legacy evidence the rootedness of movement organizing in the area. Movement building and organizing depends on the use of multidimensional practices to build relationships and support change in our communities. St. Louis is home to many brilliant organizers that use their gifts and understanding of the community to organize and build movements. Learning and engaging with local organizers can help us all find spaces and ways to get involved now and bring inspiration to create movement spaces that reflect what we bring to the table.
Speakers:
T-Dubb-O of HandsUp United
T Dubb O is a hip-hop artist born in Saint Louis. He began freestyling at the age of 6 and progressed to writing, producing and recording by the age of 11.
In 2010, Dubb entered the Streets Status Battle League arena and was quickly recognized internationally as one of the best rappers coming out of Missouri. From there, he released a couple mixtapes that destroyed the stereotype that battle MCs could not make good music and became cult classics on the underground scene. Dubb enjoyed a rapid ascent in the music world after releasing his third mixtape.
In 2016, Dubb released his first LP entitled “The Drop.” The project garnered international support even being featured on BET France. From there we saw “Pleasure, Money, & Pain” followed by a collaboration release with UFC Legend Tyron Woodley titled “Chaos Theory. Dubb has collaborated with a plethora of legends like Wiz Khalifa, Berner, Freeway, Crooked I, etc.
What separates Dubb from the rappers of today’s time is not just his extraordinary flow, but the work he does in the community. His grass roots organization, Hands Up United, has been labeled America’s New Black Radicals. Dubb was even granted the opportunity to sit with President Obama in the Oval Office to discuss racial issues and systemic problems here in America. His new album Soon It’ll All Be Over is out now!
Civic Cafe is a weekly event series that occurs every Tuesday evening at Stix House, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Each night fits the theme of either a Skill Building session, Democracy Dinner, or Civic Storytelling event. Students of every level and discipline are invited to attend. Learn, eat, and meet other civically-minded individuals.
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