By Edwin Freeman
Photos: Edwin Freeman
NEW YORK CITY — The Freeman Foundation is proud to announce that their endorsed Social-Emotional Learning Skills Program, Hip-Hop Harmony, is now available for implementation across New York City schools for the 2025-2026 academic year. What began as an innovative 8-week pilot program for NYC high schools has evolved into a comprehensive full-year curriculum now serving elementary, middle, and high school students throughout the city.
The program, which uniquely fuses the cultural elements of hip-hop with restorative practices, has garnered significant political support and endorsement from key city and state officials. The NYC Mayor’s Office under Eric Adams, State Senator Leroy Comrie’s Office, and NYC Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams’ office have all thrown their support behind the initiative, recognizing its potential to transform social-emotional learning in urban educational settings.
Hip-Hop Harmony was developed by Edwin Freeman, an accomplished actor and film producer best known for his compelling roles in the blockbuster film “Notorious” and the hit Marvel series “Luke Cage.” Freeman’s entertainment industry experience, combined with his passion for youth development, has created a program that speaks directly to students’ cultural experiences while addressing critical educational needs.
The program’s expansion comes on the heels of remarkable success at Hillcrest High School, where it was piloted this past April. Initial results demonstrate the program’s effectiveness, with 85% of participating students showing improved emotional regulation scores and 78% reporting increased engagement in their academic coursework. These outcomes have solidified Hip-Hop Harmony’s reputation as a research-based framework that delivers measurable results.
At its core, Hip-Hop Harmony leverages the cultural relevance and creativity of hip-hop to help students strengthen their emotional intelligence, build healthier relationships, and improve academic performance. The program employs culturally responsive pedagogy through music, performance, and storytelling, creating an educational environment that resonates with students’ lived experiences while building essential life skills.
The initiative addresses a critical need in urban education by providing educators with tools that connect with students on a cultural level while delivering evidence-based social-emotional learning outcomes. As schools continue to recognize the importance of SEL in student success, programs like Hip-Hop Harmony offer a pathway that honors students’ cultural identities while building academic and emotional competencies.
Schools interested in implementing Hip-Hop Harmony for the 2025-2026 school year can expect comprehensive support, including ongoing professional development for educators and flexible implementation options designed to fit each school’s unique needs and constraints. The Freeman Foundation for the Arts is a registered NYC DOE vendor, ensuring seamless integration with existing school district procurement processes.
The Freeman Foundation’s commitment to expanding access to this innovative program reflects a growing understanding that effective education must be both academically rigorous and culturally relevant. As Hip-Hop Harmony prepares for its citywide expansion, it stands as a model for how creative approaches to social-emotional learning can transform educational outcomes for urban students.
For more information about bringing Hip-Hop Harmony to your school, educators and administrators can contact the Freeman Foundation’s NYC representative at (929) 245-1224, visit their website at thefreemanfoundationforthearts.org, or email [email protected].
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