Her Story
About Toni
Toni Blackman is a pioneer in hip-hop theater, hip-hop education, and hip-hop diplomacy. She is also doing extensive work around hip-hop meditation, mindfulness, and wellness. Blackman studied communications in college and earned a master's degree, initially intending to pursue corporate broadcasting or media training. Her career shifted when she began teaching hip-hop at a summer camp as a teenager and later founded the Freestyle Union program, which uses freestyle rap to promote social responsibility. Supported by mentor Melissa Bradley, she became an Echoing Green Fellow, which led to her touring with the U.S. Department of State as an American culture specialist in Senegal and Ghana. This work formed the foundation for a comprehensive cultural diplomacy program using hip-hop, resulting in her becoming the first official U.S. hip-hop ambassador. She has since traveled to 51 countries, designed artist residencies, and received additional honors including a Sorrels Foundation fellowship for Rhyme Like a Girl and funding from the Big We Foundation for her short film A Woman's Place is in the Cipher. Blackman attributes her success to her curiosity, consistency, community connections, coachability, and courage to reinvent herself multiple times.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Toni
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my curiosity and my consistency. When I decide I want to do a thing, I do the slow burn and take the time needed, whether three weeks, three months, or six months of posting. I also know the power of community and how to show up and receive mentorship. I'm very coachable. I had a bevy of mentors, like 15 people mentoring me at once. I was raised to express gratitude. One of the most important things is courage, because I've had the courage to reinvent myself multiple times. My curiosity has taken me to 51 countries.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Use discernment with feedback from people. That feedback may be a projection and not meant for you. The first thing you need to listen to is yourself and your gut. Trust your intuition. Trust the calling. Don't allow worry of what other people think to hinder your progress. Don't let their voices limit your greatness or your impact.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Kindness comes first, practicing random acts of kindness every day like brushing your teeth. Authenticity - I'd rather be real than be impressive. Freedom of expression. Community - everything I do is rooted in community and the collective. Staying teachable and remaining coachable. Service - how can my gifts create opportunities for someone else. Courage. Creativity - using it as a way of solving problems and imagining new possibilities.
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