A conversation with Martha Diaz, Charis Henry, and Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Whitaker

Reading the City: Compton Freestyle discussed women in hip hop that have significant ties to the city of Compton and South Central. The conversation highlighted the female perspective and influence in hip hop from its inception, how panelists were inspired by Compton, and Compton's artistic legacy as a community that has served as a mecca for Black artists in Los Angeles. The event was moderated by SenYon Kelly, co-curator and operations manager at The Universal Hip Hop Museum. Martha Diaz, founder of The Hip Hop Education Center, joined in as a panelist, alongside the one and only Yo-Yo and Charise Henry. Dr. Kashema Hutchison, director of the Fresh Bold and Oh So Def Initiative, served as a planning partner.

The conversation was originally livecasted on December 9, 2021.