Hip Hop Culture Conference

On May 2nd, 2025, Antonio Polanco Lee (aka Adrienne LaCielo) produced and directed the inaugural Hip Hop Culture Conference at UC Irvine — a first-of-its-kind event celebrating the rich legacy, artistry, and social impact of Hip Hop culture. Born from a vision of empowerment in the Student Outreach and Retention Center, this multi-dimensional experience highlighted the cultural roots of Hip Hop while uplifting the next generation of creatives, scholars, and changemakers.

​

During his time as a Umoja Peer Educator in the SOAR Center's Umoja Program, Antonio created a space that united students, educators, artists, and community leaders. From production and budgeting to marketing, volunteer coordination, and program design, Antonio oversaw all aspects of the conference. The event featured performances, workshops, panels, and film screenings, showcasing industry legends including choreographers and dancers for Kendrick Lamar, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Keke Palmer, and Usher, as well as celebrated educators and artists from across California.

​

The Hip Hop Culture Conference served as an extension of Antonio’s deep commitment to building affirming spaces for Black, queer, and Latinx students, while honoring the cultural foundations of Hip Hop. Grounded in the values of Umoja — which means "unity" in Kiswahili — the event demonstrated how performance, education, and community-building intersect to create impact-driven art.

​

This work represents Antonio x Adrienne’s continued mission: to uplift underrepresented voices, foster creative excellence, and produce transformative experiences rooted in love, legacy, and liberation.