As a program developed by Words, Beats and Life Inc. (WBL), The Cipher shares the larger goals of the organization. The Cipher does so by helping the staff of hip-hop nonprofits and for-profit ventures build their capacity.

The Cipher is working to be the nation’s premier hip-hop nonprofit incubator. The Cipher is designed to create opportunities for our DC-based nonprofit and youth entrepreneurs to do exchanges with other nonprofit organizations around the country.  There will also be resident projects and events to build the capacity of each organization to deliver better and more comprehensive resources to their clients.  Each resident organization will be required to contribute three hours a week to the students of the WBL Urban Arts Academy by teaching a class at the St. Stephen’s site in northwest D.C.