What started as a response to the ’01 Riots has blossomed into an urban creative hub.
For what Cincinnati’s racial riots of 2001 displayed in ugliness and violence, they also brought forward one thought amongst most people: something needs to change. And so when a group of activists began ‘Cop Watch’ in 2002, they took their first step in causing this change. The group evolved and they began to formalize better ways to serve the community. In 2005 they officially opened Elementz, the Hip Hop Youth Arts Center located in Cincinnnati’s West End.
The idea was simple: provide a haven for urban creatives where they can have access to recording studios, dance classes, practice rooms and mentors to assist them in their craft. It was a new idea, and it took off.
Having grown since that time, Elementz moved and expanded in May of 2012 to their current location at 1100 Race Street in OTR and began to broaden their focus to include grafiti art, spoken word, poetry in addition to the Hip Hop, R&B and “Stepping” that had made the non-profit so successful already.
Today Elementz provides a safe and productive place for they city’s urban youth to tell their story. Members form groups that perform all over the city and you can regularly experience the creativity in public spaces or right at their home on Race.
And tonight, in celebration of their 8 year anniversary, Elementz is having an open house from 5:30-8pm. Tickets are $10 and can be bought online. The night promises to feature live performances, music recording and writing, spoken word, beat making and art of every kind.
So please come out tonight, suport a great organization and receive insight into urban living directly from the purview of the Cincinnati’s youngest and greatest creatives.
