AWKWORD is a frequent guest lecturer and keynote speaker for nonprofits and at colleges and universities, high schools and teen centers throughout the United States, focusing primarily on activism, anti-fascism, abolition, and the power of political Hip Hop music. His music is also regularly used to reinforce curriculum.
In a keynote address at the 2021 XR World event hosted by Extinction Rebellion, TEN DEMANDS Co-Founder AWKWORD discusses police violence and mass incarceration, the creation of the Ten Demands for Justice, the importance of demands in mobilization, the facts about abolition, and what must be done on the road to abolish the police and prisons.
“I have known AWKWORD for nearly 20 years. In addition to pursuing his work diligently and tirelessly, AWKWORD develops a profound connection with the material he is exploring, and he cares deeply about issues that matter. His dedication to social issues and finding solutions is unquestionable. Indeed, he has dedicated himself to decades of activist work. AWKWORD is simply a delight to work with in any capacity since he is able to conduct himself in an open way, willing to agree (and disagree) with others, and eager to learn very different perspectives. His sociological knowledge, critical thinking, and passion for social justice is a remarkable combination. ”
In 2017, Professor Ryan McMurray used AWKWORD’s music in his lecture for a sociology class at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, California, and connected his students with the artist following the lecture. Here's the intro to the article Ryan wrote on the experience:
”Students at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, CA shuffled into class on November 1st, 2016. The lecture that day focused on African-American culture in society, and more specifically the use of rap music to promote social justice and political awareness. The class had already discussed the historical importance of the Civil Rights Movement, and had spent a class period debating the question, Did the Civil Rights Movement work? General consensus was that it had, to a certain degree. However, the students also recognized that true equality was still a long way off, and that institutional racism remained a looming spectre in our nation’s collective consciousness.
“As that day’s lecturer, I was grateful and proud to be able to share AWKWORD’s official video for Throw Away The Key with this particular class, SOC 321, Race & Ethnicity in the United States. I thought I’d let the students speak for me. They reached out to AWKWORD on social media after the lecture. Here are some of the things they said of their respective interactions.”
Book AWKWORD
To book AWKWORD for an in-person or virtual speaking engagement, email him.