Words Beats & Life Inc.

Words Beats & Life Inc. is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming individual lives and communities through the culture of hip-hop. Founded initially as a hip-hop conference at the University of Maryland, College Park in 2000, Words Beats & Life separated from the university to establish itself as an independent entity in 2002 and was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2003. It is recognized for its contributions to arts education and creative employment within the District of Columbia, promoting hip-hop culture in its various artistic forms, including DJing, graffiti, MCing, and breaking[3][1].

Mission and Programs

The organization's mission focuses on breaking down barriers that limit young creatives in the nation’s capital from fully accessing opportunities in the arts and creative economy. Words Beats & Life provides human and material resources to support youth participation as both creators and project managers in the local creative sector. Their programming is rooted in a curriculum that combines instruction, research, and practical application conducted by practicing artists who serve as mentors. Over recent years, WBL has engaged more than 30,000 youth and young adults through in-person and virtual programs, including over 3,000 students in arts education and creative employment initiatives hosted in schools, libraries, and community spaces[2][1].

Words Beats & Life Academy

A flagship component of the organization is the Words Beats & Life Academy, which has evolved from a Saturday program to an extensive afterschool and summer curriculum serving between 150 to 300 youths annually. The academy targets young people aged 5–23 and seeks to use hip-hop as a catalyst for personal and community transformation. It offers training in urban arts disciplines such as graffiti, visual arts, B-boying, DJing, and emceeing. Beyond technical skill development, the academy emphasizes self-awareness, employability, and community building. For example, emceeing fosters public speaking skills, while DJing introduces students to technology and engineering. The Academy also engages in community projects like the Murals DC initiative, which redirects the energy of graffiti artists toward legal, city beautification projects in collaboration with the DC government[3].

Community Role

Words Beats & Life serves as an unapologetic advocate for hip-hop culture, empowering artists to continually create and refine their craft. It engages the community by teaching, convening, and presenting hip-hop arts through platforms such as the Urban Arts Academy, cultural ciphers (community cyphers), and by publishing the first peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to global hip-hop culture. The organization operates primarily within the greater DMV (District-Maryland-Virginia) area, focusing on cultural education and artistic development as tools for social change[4][1][3].

Tax and Legal Status

Words Beats & Life Inc. is classified under the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) code as an arts, culture, and humanities organization, specifically within performing arts centers. Donations made to the organization are tax-deductible under its 501(c)(3) status, reflecting its designation as an educational and charitable nonprofit with a focus on arts and culture advancement[5].

This overview highlights Words Beats & Life Inc. as a pioneering hip-hop based nonprofit with a sustained commitment to youth empowerment and cultural development in Washington, D.C., blending artistic mentorship with community engagement to foster positive social impact.