Words Beats and Life (WBL) has developed a unique approach to community transformation through hip-hop culture in the District of Columbia. The WBL Staff develop curriculum, projects, and programs to break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness for DC youth, parents and area hip-hop artists. WBL has seen a number of breakthroughs with our students and a series of first time breakthroughs with numerous DC based youth development funders. Over the last year we have seen our organization budget grow as the size of our student roster grow even more. The WBL Academy is growing at an exponential rate.

‘College Material’ is part of the Words Beat & Life Academy. It allows a set of volunteers to equip Apprentices in the Academy to reach beyond our classrooms and seek to create a link between the artistic elements of hip-hop and higher education. Students are encouraged to actively participate in our arts programming and see themselves as ‘college material’; someone with the ability to succeed and flourish in a post-secondary educational environment. By linking each student with a one-on-one ‘College Material Coach’, the program provides the individualized resources, skills, and support needed for Academy Apprentices to achieve their goals. In addition, the program is simultaneously developing meaningful intergenerational relationships rooted in a common love for hip-hop culture. College Material has included as many as 22 students and 10 College Material Coaches ( a 2:1 student-to-coach ratio).

Head College Material Coach Responsibilities

Work with Academy Intern team of 4-6 specifically to regularly update the Academy resource manual

Manage regular communication with the parents or guardians of Academy Apprentice Students

Host monthly phone meeting of College Material Coaches

Organize new College Material Coach orientation and trainings

Executive Produce videos designed to the following: Select a Major, Prepare fort he SATs, Exploring the Types of Post Secondary Options Students Have, Picking Colleges, the Application Process, Financing School.

Coordinating participation of students in college fairs and tours

Helping students sign up for SAT classes

Organize speaker series as part of Living Classroom inishative with speakers exploring college access, student life, internships and paying for college.

Insuring that each apprentice student with the support of both their college material coach and academy inter have each of the follow documents; Resume, coverletter, Personal Essay, FAFSA, Common Application, Goal setting contract, Session Goals form, Action plans, SAT/ACT practice test scores, Best college fit Ruberic, College Scavenger Hunt From, Questions to bring to college fair, letters of recommendation, an active email account.

The Requirements of Volunteer Coaches you Manage:

Individuals interested in becoming Coaches must pass a background check, have or obtain documented TB test results, and either be currently enrolled in or have been enrolled in a two or four-year college or university.

Principle Duties & Responsibilities of Volunteers :

c Devote 2 days a month (2 hours) to coach one to two (1-2) students for 12 months

c Participate in a monthly All-Coaches call

c Document in writing Student-Coach bi-weekly meetings

c Help student create personal goals and a plan to accomplish them (both short & long term)

c Identify the need for additional resources (i.e. tutoring, counseling, employment)

c Play an active role in programmatic activities (i.e. college tours, scavenger hunts, etc.)

How to apply

Please submit your resume, coverletter and writing sample to mazi@wblinc.org with the subject, Head College Material Coach. No phone call please. Failure to follow these directions will result in an automatic disqualification for consideration.