Future Forum | Nov, 18 2025 6:30PM - 8:30PM
In celebration of the LBJ Presidential Library’s exhibit Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit, the Future Forum hosted a conversation on how art — from visual arts to music and hip-hop specifically — could drive social change.
Hip-hop had always been more than music — it was a movement rooted in expression, resistance, and community. This conversation examined how the arts more broadly continued to inspire activism, policy conversations, and grassroots engagement.
Speakers:
- Gina Chavez, President of the Recording Academy, Texas Chapter, Latin GRAMMY Nominee
- Jason Rawls, Assistant Professor of Hip Hop, Ohio State University
- Raúl Valdez, Austin muralist focusing themes of social justice and human rights
- Moderator: Bavu Blakes, Scholar Emcee; co-founder, Hip Hop Grew Up
Following the panel, guests were invited to enjoy a reception and after-hours access to the Hip-Hop America exhibit on the third floor. DJ Abe the Ambassador provided music, and the Store at LBJ stayed open late so guests could browse the hip-hop selection.
Video & Photos
Mic Check: The Arts as a Voice of Social Change
(L-R) Bavu Blakes, Jason Rawls, Gina Chavez and Raúl Valdez. LBJ Library photo by Jay Godwin.
Mic Check: The Arts as a Voice of Social Change
In celebration of the LBJ Presidential Library’s new exhibit “Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit,” the Future Forum hosted a conversation on November 18, 2025, about how art, from visual arts to music and hip-hop, can drive social change.
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The Future Forum is the LBJ Presidential Library's vibrant, public policy discussion forum. Join today for access to thought-provoking programs with speakers and attendees offering diverse perspectives and dialogue about the social, political, and civic issues facing us today.
