The rhythm of history met the power of storytelling as sixth grade students from Charles T. Koontz Intermediate welcomed guest speaker Isa Ibn Wali for a special presentation in honor of Black History Month.
From the moment he began speaking, the classroom transformed into a journey through time. Isa guided the students back to the 1970s, explaining how hip hop was born in the Bronx as a creative and positive outlet for young people to share their voices, their struggles, and their dreams.
Students listened intently as Isa connected hip hop to a larger story of innovation, resilience, and artistic influence. He spoke about how music and spoken word have long been powerful tools for telling stories, building unity, and inspiring change.
The lesson quickly became interactive.
Students clapped out rhythms, asked thoughtful questions, and tried creating their own rhymes. Laughter and learning filled the room as desks became drum pads and notebooks became spaces for lyrics and ideas.
More importantly, students walked away with a deeper understanding that hip hop is not just entertainment - it is history, identity, and a global cultural movement that continues to influence the world today.
