Mazi Mutafa - Executive Director / Co-Founder

Mazi Mutafa is the founding Executive Director of Words Beats & Life, a hip-hop non-profit established in Washington D.C in 2002. Mr. Mutafa received his Bachelor’s degree in African American studies from the University of Maryland and  became a Brother of Phi BetaSigma Fraternity. He has been a guest lecturer at the University of Maryland, Georgetown University, and George Washington University and, in 2019, was an adjunct professor at American University, co-teaching a course about international hip-hop, called “Whose Hip-Hop Is It?”

As an expert in the fields of Muslimness, Hip-Hop culture, public art and arts education, creative employment, cultural diplomacy, and centering marginalized voices, Mr. Mutafa has made numerous media appearances. They have included all network TV stations in Washington, as well as N.P.R. and other local public radio outlets, plus the Washington Post, Washington City Paper, Kids Post Washington, East of the River and Washington Times.

He contributed a chapter to the Handbook of Research on Black Males, published by Michigan State University Press and an interview with Mazi is included in The Hip-Hop Mindset: A Professional Practice on Rutledge Press. Mr. Mutafa is also the host of a hip-hop show called “Live @ 5,” heard quarterly on WPFW 89.3 FM, featuring performances and interviews with MC’s, poets, DJ’s, producers, and vocalists.

Email: mazi@wblinc.org

Phone: 202-667-1192

Twitter: @MaziMutafa

Topics of Expertise: Muslimness, Hip-Hop Culture, Public Art, Arts Education, Creative Employment, Cultural Diplomacy, and Centering Marginalized Voices.

Media Appearances: News Channel 8, WUSA 9, NBC 4, Fox 5 News, NPR, WPFW, WHUR, WKYS, WPGC, in the Washington Post, KidsPost- Washington Post, the Washington City Paper, East of the River, Washington Times.

Artistic Practices: Podcasting, Radio Hosting, Photography and Creative Writing

Mazi Mutafa has either been interviewed for or has writings featured in these books