Raven Wilhelm | Academy Director

Raven Wilhelm is a poet, educator, and arts advocate whose work sits at the intersection of Hip Hop, equity, and education. With over a decade of experience across K–12 schools, nonprofit organizations, and consulting. Raven has consistently used the arts—especially Hip Hop—as a medium to elevate youth voice, reimagine curriculum, and build culturally responsive learning spaces. A proud alumna of Teachers College, Columbia University, she holds multiple degrees and professional certifications in school leadership and administration.

Raven’s commitment to Hip Hop Education was shaped by her early life as a born and bred Brooklynite. As a workshop facilitator and curriculum designer, she has supported national initiatives that center Hip Hop pedagogy, student creativity, and liberation-based learning. Her instructional practices intentionally weave together poetry, performance, and cultural expression as tools for identity formation, academic engagement, and healing.

Raven leads cross-functional teams and designs programming for youth. Prior to this, she held leadership roles within the NYC Department of Education where she implemented restorative practices, led DEIB-centered professional development, and built school cultures rooted in community and the arts.

Whether in classrooms, on panels, or in community spaces, Raven continues to champion the role of Hip Hop and the arts in transforming education, building equity, and amplifying the brilliance of young people.