WASHINGTON, DC— Words Beats & Life has been approved for a $30,000 Grants for Arts Projects award to support all of their virtual concert series, namely, The WBL Fest this spring along with their spring, summer and fall arts ed programs. These projects will include interactive panel discussions, Hip Hop based art workshops and creative employment projects and classes that will engage adults and youth right here in DC. Words Beats & Life’s programs are among 1,073 programs and projects across America totaling nearly $25 million that were selected during this first round of fiscal year 2021 funding in the Grants for Arts Projects funding category.  

The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support this project from Words Beats & Life, said Arts Endowment Acting Chairman Ann Eilers. Words Beats & Life is among the arts organizations across the country that have demonstrated creativity, excellence, and resilience during this very challenging year.

"Continuing to be supported by the NEA is a big deal.  The need for support in the delivery of quality programming all over the country is only increasing.  This support truly makes a difference in our effort to deliver programming for the WBL Festival.  Knowing that much of our programming will remain virtual through the summer and potentially the fall, it's an honor to continue to contribute to the community by hiring artists to share their talents and knowledge." 

-Mazi Mutafa Executive Director & Founder of Word Beats & Life 

Words Beats Life Festival (WBL Fest) is an annual citywide showcase of Hip-Hop culture in our nations capital for intergenerational audiences. WBL Fest provides a platform for the best ideas from around the globe for addressing Hip-Hop’ role in solving complex challenges facing schools, universities, arts institutions, and local communities. The festival includes public events, programs, performances, competitions, discussions, art exhibitions, celebrations, master classes, and other community building activities. 

About WBL

Words Beats & Life-- www.wblinc.org

We are unapologetic advocates for the transformative power of Hip-Hop culture in all its forms, empowering artists to relentlessly create and refine systems that demonstrate positive change through our individual and collective brilliance. We embrace the sacred nature of our work and our roles as keepers and innovators of our culture. 

We create arts based educational experiences that equip youth, arts managers, teaching artists and scholars to move from theory to practice. We harness the power of the imagination to reshape the lives and communities we serve. 

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For more information on projects included in the Arts Endowment grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.

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