The Delaware Art Museum will host the 4th Annual Hip Hop Cultural Summit: Art as Activism on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to all ages.
This year’s Summit will highlight Hip Hop’s five elements and their connections to activism, creative expression and social change. Special guest Darryl “Cornbread” McCray, the Philadelphia native widely recognized as a pioneer of modern graffiti, will share his story and the history of the art form.
“Cornbread is a living legend who literally invented this art form. Having him here to walk our community through the true history of graffiti, in his own words, is something people will be talking about for years. This is Hip Hop heritage, and we are proud to give it a home,” said Dr. Grouchy Greg Watkins, founder of AllHipHop.com.
“We are proud to represent all five elements of Hip Hop through the lens of activism and give our community the opportunity to learn directly from the people who helped build the culture,” said Iz Balleto, Cultural Program Manager at the Delaware Art Museum.
The day’s programming will include:
- A drumline performance organized by Stop the Violence, Inc.
- A Live! Music Brunch hosted by radio personality Roxy Romeo
- A special presentation by the Ladies of Hip Hop
- Live sets by DJ Supreme and DJ Soul Buck
- An MC battle, performances and panel discussions
- Book signings, vendors and community conversations
The Summit will also feature Peace Week Delaware’s culminating ceremony honoring “Superheroes for Peace.”
The event complements the Museum’s new exhibition, Art as Activism: Walls of Resistance, opening September 23. Curated by mural artist Leon Rainbow, the exhibition will feature Cornbread and 17 other graffiti artists while exploring graffiti’s history and influence as activism, creative expression and fine art.
About the Hip Hop Cultural Summit
Now in its fourth year, the Hip Hop Cultural Summit celebrates Hip Hop’s roots in community, creativity, culture and social justice while recognizing its continued influence as a force for positive change.
