LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville nonprofit won $500,000 on national television and plans to use to reach more students.
Hip Hop into Learning (HHN2L) uses rap and music to help Louisville-area young kids and teens learn and express themselves. One of the group's programs, The Real Young Prodigys, is most commonly known.
On Dec. 12, a member of The Real Young Prodigys, D'Angelia McMillan, was surprised on the Tamron Hall show that Hip Hop Into Learning won the top award for The Lewis Prize, $500,000.
"This isn't just for me," D'Angelia said. "This is for all of us, because we all plan, work for Crown, we put in the work for just for all, we put every piece together."
The group's song "Crown" was influential in passing a Louisville ordinance, called the Crown Act, that prohibits discrimination against someone based on hairstyle.
The ordinance passed Louisville Metro Council in a unanimous, bipartisan vote and was signed by Mayor Greg Fischer, making it law, last summer. The group has also rallied for the passing of the CROWN Act in the state of Kentucky and plans to continue in 2023.
It all started three years ago in the classroom of NyRee Clayton-Taylor, then a teacher in Jefferson county Public Schools.
"It's just being culturally responsive and reaching all students and taking what they love, and showing them what they can be and what they are," Clayton-Taylor said.
The money isn't in the hands of Clayton-Taylor yet, but she said HHN2L wants to use the money to expand its services to reach more kids with summer camps, writing camps and working on passing the Crown Act in Frankfort.
If you know a student who wants to get involved, The Real Young Prodigys is looking for dancers for its next music video. Tryouts are at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Parkhill Community Center. Ages can range from third grade to 12th grade. It is for the group's new song Crown Remix.
For more information on The Real Young Prodigys click here.
Related Stories:
- The Real Young Prodigys accepts $500,000 on national television on behalf of Louisville non-profit
- Louisville teen rap group focused on social justice issues hopes to catch Jack Harlow's attention
- Louisville's Real Young Prodigies push for state passage of CROWN Act
- Louisville's Real Young Prodigys raising money to attend hip-hop conference at Harvard
- Louisville teen rap group focused on social justice issues hopes to catch Jack Harlow's attention
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