MISSION DRIVEN
Our Why
Black Americans carry a disproportionate cancer burden, including the highest mortality rates from most cancers, and slowest time to diagnosis of any other race.
Not only are Black Americans 41% more likely to die from cancer, they top the charts in heart disease, diabetes, and obesity too.
Low health literacy is a big part of the problem.
We're bringing health literacy to the streets
Black Americans need to be empowered with effective health literacy so they can seek the healthcare access and timely intervention they need and deserve.
We aim to educate people in their local communities, with voices they know and trust.
We're eliminating road blocks and barriers to success
Healthcare disparities like lack of insurance, limited access, historical injustices, and implicit racial bias keep many People of Color from seeking essential or even basic medical care.
We're fostering prevention and self-advocacy
We must engage Communities of Color at the grass roots level, and establish collaborative partnerships that will drive health literacy and create lasting change.
THE SOLUTION
Hit the Streets
We’re gearing up to launch a series of block parties in some of America’s largest urban communities and harness the power of hip-hop music and its culture to empower people to seek and receive the healthcare they need and deserve.
Together with community partners, the Health, Hope & Hip-Hop Foundation is creating a model to educate and inspire Black Americans in their neighborhoods with a goal of creating measurable and lasting change.
OUR PROGRAMS
Powered by Hip-Hop
LOCAL BLOCK PARTIES
Urban street parties in underserved communities that combine hip-hop culture with trusted experts to empower health literacy
PODCAST SERIES
A series for survivors featuring Grand G and special guests, who've all been touched by serious illness and perservered
PRODUCTION COMPANY
A vehicle to produce and distribute hip-hop collaborations featuring legends and up-and-coming local artists
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Join the Party
GIVE
Donate Now
Help us to bring essential health literacy programs and resources to communities in need.
VOLUNTEER
Get Involved
Join a Street team in your community and make a difference in your own backyard.
FUND
Partner with Us
Fund our initiatives by providing a grant or sponsoring a program that aligns with your company’s goals.
VIDEOS
Spittin' Rhymes
Playlist
7:05
3:12
2:57
3:38
5:56
8:38
We are grateful to our homies for supporting our mission and vision
CLIP DROP 🎙️
This moment hits hard.
In this clip, Gary Lambert takes us back to life before his multiple myeloma diagnosis — running races, cycling, working for the City of Philadelphia — until “regular” back and hip pain slowly took everything from him.
What started as something easy to dismiss…
Turned into a cane.
Then a walker.
Then a cancer diagnosis.
This is why we talk about listening to your body and not ignoring pain that doesn’t go away.
🎧 Full episode:
“Stackin’ Moments with Myeloma: Trust the Process — Gary Lambert & Dr. Blue on CAR-T, Trials & Real Teamwork”
🔗 https://youtu.be/fAzPYigSeb4
#HipHopeHooray #HealthHopeHipHop #MenTalkinHealth #MultipleMyeloma #PatientStories #Men
CLIP DROP 🎙️
This moment hits hard.
In this clip, Gary Lambert takes us back to life before his multiple myeloma diagnosis — running races, cycling, working for the City of Philadelphia — until “regular” back and hip pain slowly took everything from him.
What started as something easy to dismiss…
Turned into a cane.
Then a walker.
Then a cancer diagnosis.
This is why we talk about listening to your body and not ignoring pain that doesn’t go away.
🎧 Full episode:
“Stackin’ Moments with Myeloma: Trust the Process — Gary Lambert & Dr. Blue on CAR-T, Trials & Real Teamwork”
🔗 https://youtu.be/fAzPYigSeb4
#HipHopeHooray #HealthHopeHipHop #MenTalkinHealth #MultipleMyeloma #PatientStories #Men
🔥 The Hip Hope Ball is BACK! 🔥
🗓️ Save the Date – 2026
A Celebration to Ignite Change
Last year brought the culture and the message — @phillyfreeway, @therulernyc, and powerful insight from healthcare leaders like Dr. Joseph Mikhael (@jrmikhael)— all in one room for the community.
Missed it last year? 👀
See the recap and feel the energy:
🔗 https://healthhopehiphop.org/hip-hope-ball-wilmington/
This year… don’t drop the ball.
📱 @healthhopehiphop
🌐 healthhopehiphop.org
#HipHopeBall26 #DontDropTheBall #PartyWithPurpose #HipHopeBallDE #HealthHopeHipHop
🔥 The Hip Hope Ball is BACK! 🔥
🗓️ Save the Date – 2026
A Celebration to Ignite Change
Last year brought the culture and the message — @phillyfreeway, @therulernyc, and powerful insight from healthcare leaders like Dr. Joseph Mikhael (@jrmikhael)— all in one room for the community.
Missed it last year? 👀
See the recap and feel the energy:
🔗 https://healthhopehiphop.org/hip-hope-ball-wilmington/
This year… don’t drop the ball.
📱 @healthhopehiphop
🌐 healthhopehiphop.org
#HipHopeBall26 #DontDropTheBall #PartyWithPurpose #HipHopeBallDE #HealthHopeHipHop
Still feeling all the emotions from this powerful moment…
On Dec 5, 2025, our Founder & CEO, Oya Gilbert, had the incredible privilege of being recognized as Blood Cancer Hero of the Year for Multiple Myeloma at the first-annual Blood Cancer Heroes celebration with @curetoday + @bloodcancerunited.
For the first time in three years, Oya paused to truly take it all in — the hard work, the laughter, the tears, and the daily struggles of navigating every “new normal” that this disease brings. A full-circle moment that speaks to resilience, purpose, and faith.
Here’s a edited clip of that moment. 🎥✨
Oya gives thanks to God first and foremost, and to every single person this journey has connected him with — patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, clinicians, family, and friends. You have all been a blessing.
To all the nominees and honorees… we’re family now.
And much love to Suleika Jaouad and Jon Batiste for the support and heartfelt conversation afterward — a moment we’ll never forget.
This recognition is bigger than one person. It’s for every warrior fighting, every caregiver standing strong, and every voice pushing for equity, access, and healing. We keep going — together. ❤️
#BloodCancerHeroes #MultipleMyeloma #HealthHopeHipHop #PatientAdvocate #BloodCancerUnited
Still feeling all the emotions from this powerful moment…
On Dec 5, 2025, our Founder & CEO, Oya Gilbert, had the incredible privilege of being recognized as Blood Cancer Hero of the Year for Multiple Myeloma at the first-annual Blood Cancer Heroes celebration with @curetoday + @bloodcancerunited.
For the first time in three years, Oya paused to truly take it all in — the hard work, the laughter, the tears, and the daily struggles of navigating every “new normal” that this disease brings. A full-circle moment that speaks to resilience, purpose, and faith.
Here’s a edited clip of that moment. 🎥✨
Oya gives thanks to God first and foremost, and to every single person this journey has connected him with — patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, clinicians, family, and friends. You have all been a blessing.
To all the nominees and honorees… we’re family now.
And much love to Suleika Jaouad and Jon Batiste for the support and heartfelt conversation afterward — a moment we’ll never forget.
This recognition is bigger than one person. It’s for every warrior fighting, every caregiver standing strong, and every voice pushing for equity, access, and healing. We keep going — together. ❤️
#BloodCancerHeroes #MultipleMyeloma #HealthHopeHipHop #PatientAdvocate #BloodCancerUnited
CLIP DROP 🎙️
This is a must-watch moment from our latest episode:
Dr. Brandon Blue breaks down multiple myeloma in his own unique, real-talk way — plain language, culture-connected, and easy to understand.
If you’ve ever heard the word “myeloma” and thought “what even is that?” …this clip is for you.
Full episode:
“Stackin’ Moments with Myeloma: Trust the Process — Gary Lambert & Dr. Blue on CAR-T, Trials & Real Teamwork.”
🔗 Watch/listen on YouTube @healthhopehiphop
#HipHopeHooray #HealthHopeHipHop #MenTalkinHealth #MultipleMyeloma #MyelomaAwareness #CART #ClinicalTrials #TrustTheProcess #BlackMensHealth #PatientEducation
CLIP DROP 🎙️
This is a must-watch moment from our latest episode:
Dr. Brandon Blue breaks down multiple myeloma in his own unique, real-talk way — plain language, culture-connected, and easy to understand.
If you’ve ever heard the word “myeloma” and thought “what even is that?” …this clip is for you.
Full episode:
“Stackin’ Moments with Myeloma: Trust the Process — Gary Lambert & Dr. Blue on CAR-T, Trials & Real Teamwork.”
🔗 Watch/listen on YouTube @healthhopehiphop
#HipHopeHooray #HealthHopeHipHop #MenTalkinHealth #MultipleMyeloma #MyelomaAwareness #CART #ClinicalTrials #TrustTheProcess #BlackMensHealth #PatientEducation
BARS FOR BETTER HEALTH
hope, healing, and hip-hop in action.
Today is #givingtuesday, we’re asking the culture to stand with the community.
The Health, Hope & Hip-Hop Foundation (HH&HH) uses hip-hop–powered health literacy, advocacy, and community activation to fight the disparities impacting Black and Brown communities.
Donate here:
https://www.degives.org/fundraisers/Bars-for-Better-Health-25
🎁 Thank-you giveaways:
• Donate $30–$100 → entry to win your
choice of a HH&HH hat OR t-shirt (5 winners)
• Donate $100+ → entry to win one of TWO customized tribute paintings honoring Biz Markie or Guru (Gang Starr) (2 winners total)
Every gift is a bar for better health. Let’s turn hope into action.
#BarsForBetterHealth #HealthHopeHipHop #HHHH #HopeHealingHipHop #HipHopForHealth #HealthEquity #BlackHealthMatters #CommunityHealth #CultureForChange #DonateToday
BARS FOR BETTER HEALTH
hope, healing, and hip-hop in action.
Today is #givingtuesday, we’re asking the culture to stand with the community.
The Health, Hope & Hip-Hop Foundation (HH&HH) uses hip-hop–powered health literacy, advocacy, and community activation to fight the disparities impacting Black and Brown communities.
Donate here:
https://www.degives.org/fundraisers/Bars-for-Better-Health-25
🎁 Thank-you giveaways:
• Donate $30–$100 → entry to win your
choice of a HH&HH hat OR t-shirt (5 winners)
• Donate $100+ → entry to win one of TWO customized tribute paintings honoring Biz Markie or Guru (Gang Starr) (2 winners total)
Every gift is a bar for better health. Let’s turn hope into action.
#BarsForBetterHealth #HealthHopeHipHop #HHHH #HopeHealingHipHop #HipHopForHealth #HealthEquity #BlackHealthMatters #CommunityHealth #CultureForChange #DonateToday
Still sitting with the feelings from HealtheVoices.
This year’s theme — The Power of Us — wasn’t just a tagline. It was something you could feel in the room. Listening to first-time attendees get emotional about how many years they’ve applied, how long they waited to be accepted, and how grateful they were to be sponsored by Johnson & Johnson… whew. That was The Power of Us in real time: doors opening, voices rising, community catching community. 
Being there reminded me why we do what we do at Health, Hope & Hip-Hop — turning lived experience into loud, loving advocacy, and using culture to push health literacy and equity forward. Because when we show up together, healing and change move faster. 
To every first-timer who finally got their “yes”: I’m honored to have witnessed your moment. I left inspired, humbled, and even more committed to this mission.
#HealtheVoices25 #ThePowerOfUs #JohnsonAndJohnson #PatientAdvocacy #HealthHopeHipHop #HHHH #HealthEquity #HipHopForHealth #MultipleMyelomaAwareness #CommunityHealing
Still sitting with the feelings from HealtheVoices.
This year’s theme — The Power of Us — wasn’t just a tagline. It was something you could feel in the room. Listening to first-time attendees get emotional about how many years they’ve applied, how long they waited to be accepted, and how grateful they were to be sponsored by Johnson & Johnson… whew. That was The Power of Us in real time: doors opening, voices rising, community catching community. 
Being there reminded me why we do what we do at Health, Hope & Hip-Hop — turning lived experience into loud, loving advocacy, and using culture to push health literacy and equity forward. Because when we show up together, healing and change move faster. 
To every first-timer who finally got their “yes”: I’m honored to have witnessed your moment. I left inspired, humbled, and even more committed to this mission.
#HealtheVoices25 #ThePowerOfUs #JohnsonAndJohnson #PatientAdvocacy #HealthHopeHipHop #HHHH #HealthEquity #HipHopForHealth #MultipleMyelomaAwareness #CommunityHealing
Happy Thanksgiving from the Health, Hope & Hip-Hop Foundation (HH&HH). 🧡🍂
Today we’re grateful for you—our families, supporters, partners, donors, and everyone who believes in healthier, more equitable futures. Your love keeps this mission moving and helps us use hip-hop culture to raise health literacy, fight disparities, and bring hope where it’s needed most.
If you’re looking for a simple way to give back today:
• Check on someone you love and encourage a
health check-up.
• Share this message to spread awareness.
• Support HH&HH by donating, volunteering, or
connecting us with a partner.
Thank you for standing with us. Wishing you peace, joy, and a full heart this Thanksgiving.
#HealthHopeHipHop #HHHHFoundation #Thanksgiving #Grateful #HealthEquity #CommunityHealth
Happy Thanksgiving from the Health, Hope & Hip-Hop Foundation (HH&HH). 🧡🍂
Today we’re grateful for you—our families, supporters, partners, donors, and everyone who believes in healthier, more equitable futures. Your love keeps this mission moving and helps us use hip-hop culture to raise health literacy, fight disparities, and bring hope where it’s needed most.
If you’re looking for a simple way to give back today:
• Check on someone you love and encourage a
health check-up.
• Share this message to spread awareness.
• Support HH&HH by donating, volunteering, or
connecting us with a partner.
Thank you for standing with us. Wishing you peace, joy, and a full heart this Thanksgiving.
#HealthHopeHipHop #HHHHFoundation #Thanksgiving #Grateful #HealthEquity #CommunityHealth
💜 Strength hits different when it’s lived.
When asked what keeps him going through lupus, kidney failure, back surgery, and decades of chronic illness…
Emmitt’s answer gave chills.
“God kept me here, and His will with me is not done. The back will get better. The kidney will come. The surgeries will heal. I look forward with positivity — and because I do, it’s going to happen.”
This is what resilience sounds like.
This is why his voice matters.
Watch this moment — and let it pour into you.
▶️ Full episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/3XZKbdZZr5g?si=Nwx_RhKmvJEQ2otp
#HipHopeHoorayPodcast #LupusAwareness #Resilience #ChronicIllnessStrength #HealthHopeHipHop #KidneyFailureAwareness #FaithOverFear #TurnPainIntoPower
💜 Strength hits different when it’s lived.
When asked what keeps him going through lupus, kidney failure, back surgery, and decades of chronic illness…
Emmitt’s answer gave chills.
“God kept me here, and His will with me is not done. The back will get better. The kidney will come. The surgeries will heal. I look forward with positivity — and because I do, it’s going to happen.”
This is what resilience sounds like.
This is why his voice matters.
Watch this moment — and let it pour into you.
▶️ Full episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/3XZKbdZZr5g?si=Nwx_RhKmvJEQ2otp
#HipHopeHoorayPodcast #LupusAwareness #Resilience #ChronicIllnessStrength #HealthHopeHipHop #KidneyFailureAwareness #FaithOverFear #TurnPainIntoPower
Lupus. Love. Life. The Remix of Resilience.💜
🎙️ Recorded live at #HealtheVoices2025
Meet Emmitt & Shanell — a powerful duo in love, life, and lupus advocacy.
Emmitt is founder of Male Lupus Warriors + author of The Power in MEn.
Shanell is co-author of Veterans Unchained and creator of the 8 Second Campaign, raising kidney donor awareness for Emmitt.
Their story is raw, real, and rooted in resilience — proof that faith, community, and hip-hop energy can turn pain into power.
🎧 Listen on all podcast platforms
▶️ Watch the full episode on YouTube – @healthhopehiphop
(Link in bio)
#HipHopeHoorayPodcast #LupusAwareness #RemixOfResilience #TurnPainIntoPower #HealthHopeHipHop #FaithOverFear #HealtheVoices2025
Lupus. Love. Life. The Remix of Resilience.💜
🎙️ Recorded live at #HealtheVoices2025
Meet Emmitt & Shanell — a powerful duo in love, life, and lupus advocacy.
Emmitt is founder of Male Lupus Warriors + author of The Power in MEn.
Shanell is co-author of Veterans Unchained and creator of the 8 Second Campaign, raising kidney donor awareness for Emmitt.
Their story is raw, real, and rooted in resilience — proof that faith, community, and hip-hop energy can turn pain into power.
🎧 Listen on all podcast platforms
▶️ Watch the full episode on YouTube – @healthhopehiphop
(Link in bio)
#HipHopeHoorayPodcast #LupusAwareness #RemixOfResilience #TurnPainIntoPower #HealthHopeHipHop #FaithOverFear #HealtheVoices2025
💬 “We went to therapy and it came out… she resented that I was still alive. We planned for me to die — not to live this long.” — Michael Riotto
In Ride or Die: The Care Partner Chronicles, Michael Riotto shares how his myeloma diagnosis didn’t just affect his health — it changed everything. From the balance of love to the burden of survival, this clip is a raw look at how relationships evolve through illness and healing. ❤️
Host Oya Glbert leads a powerful conversation with Thomas Goode, Tony Newberne, and Michael Riotto on finding purpose, peace, and understanding in the hardest moments.
🎧 Listen FREE (and subscribe!) → hiphopehooray.podbean.com/e/rideordie/
📺 Watch the full episode → https://youtu.be/xdiWlzKAkzc
Follow ➡️ @healthhopehiphop
Sponsored by:
🔹 Johnson & Johnson / Legend Biotech (Top)
🔹 Pfizer
💭 Question for you: Can love survive when everything else changes? 💔
💬 Tell us below — your words might reach someone who needs to hear them.
#hiphopehooray #healthhopehiphop #mentalkinhealth
💬 “We went to therapy and it came out… she resented that I was still alive. We planned for me to die — not to live this long.” — Michael Riotto
In Ride or Die: The Care Partner Chronicles, Michael Riotto shares how his myeloma diagnosis didn’t just affect his health — it changed everything. From the balance of love to the burden of survival, this clip is a raw look at how relationships evolve through illness and healing. ❤️
Host Oya Glbert leads a powerful conversation with Thomas Goode, Tony Newberne, and Michael Riotto on finding purpose, peace, and understanding in the hardest moments.
🎧 Listen FREE (and subscribe!) → hiphopehooray.podbean.com/e/rideordie/
📺 Watch the full episode → https://youtu.be/xdiWlzKAkzc
Follow ➡️ @healthhopehiphop
Sponsored by:
🔹 Johnson & Johnson / Legend Biotech (Top)
🔹 Pfizer
💭 Question for you: Can love survive when everything else changes? 💔
💬 Tell us below — your words might reach someone who needs to hear them.
#hiphopehooray #healthhopehiphop #mentalkinhealth
🎥 Dock to the Block Recap!
From the sponsor karaoke showdown (with wild guest substitutions!) 🎤🔥 to the food, the vibe, the history of the Kalmar Nyckel, and watching everyone raise the sails — this cruise was everything. 🚢✨
We toured the ship, celebrated on deck, and kicked off the Health, Hope & Hip-Hop Block Party Weekend in true HH&HH style.
Thank you to all who joined, and to those who couldn’t—you were missed. 💛
Sponsors:
@pfizerinc - Top
@dartfirststateofficial
@kitepharma
🎥 & 📸 @photographybysamwilson
#docktotheblock #healthhopehiphop #hhhhblockpartyde25 #kalmarnyckel #blockpartyvibes #hiphopforhealth
🎥 Dock to the Block Recap!
From the sponsor karaoke showdown (with wild guest substitutions!) 🎤🔥 to the food, the vibe, the history of the Kalmar Nyckel, and watching everyone raise the sails — this cruise was everything. 🚢✨
We toured the ship, celebrated on deck, and kicked off the Health, Hope & Hip-Hop Block Party Weekend in true HH&HH style.
Thank you to all who joined, and to those who couldn’t—you were missed. 💛
Sponsors:
@pfizerinc - Top
@dartfirststateofficial
@kitepharma
🎥 & 📸 @photographybysamwilson
#docktotheblock #healthhopehiphop #hhhhblockpartyde25 #kalmarnyckel #blockpartyvibes #hiphopforhealth
💬 “It wasn’t invisibility… it was the diagnosis itself — the cancer, the change of life, the change of everything.” — Thomas Goode @846627_gud
In this moving clip from Hip. Hope. Hooray! Men Talkin’ Health, Thomas Goode shares how his myeloma diagnosis changed not only his health but his entire life.
Host Oya Gilbert @grand_geee reminds us: you can’t always see what care partners carry — and that makes compassion essential. ❤️
🎧 Listen FREE (and subscribe!) → hiphopehooray.podbean.com/e/rideordie/
📺 Watch the full episode → https://youtu.be/xdiWlzKAkzc
Follow ➡️ @healthhopehiphop
Sponsored by:
🔹 @jnj (Top)
🔹 @pfizerinc
#hiphopehooray #healthhopehiphop #mentalkinhealth
💬 “It wasn’t invisibility… it was the diagnosis itself — the cancer, the change of life, the change of everything.” — Thomas Goode @846627_gud
In this moving clip from Hip. Hope. Hooray! Men Talkin’ Health, Thomas Goode shares how his myeloma diagnosis changed not only his health but his entire life.
Host Oya Gilbert @grand_geee reminds us: you can’t always see what care partners carry — and that makes compassion essential. ❤️
🎧 Listen FREE (and subscribe!) → hiphopehooray.podbean.com/e/rideordie/
📺 Watch the full episode → https://youtu.be/xdiWlzKAkzc
Follow ➡️ @healthhopehiphop
Sponsored by:
🔹 @jnj (Top)
🔹 @pfizerinc
#hiphopehooray #healthhopehiphop #mentalkinhealth