Summary Jaren Small, founder of Reading with a Rapper, discusses the intersection of culture and education and how his organization uses rap music to engage students in reading, writing, and retention. He shares his journey of creating Reading with a Rapper and the challenges and opportunities that come with it. Small emphasizes the importance of literacy and the impact of low literacy rates on society. He provides advice for educators and policymakers on how to address these issues and highlights the need for diverse perspectives in decision-making. Small also discusses the power of the college experience and the partnerships his organization has formed with Nike and Microsoft to further their mission. In this conversation, Jarren Small shares his insights and advice for the next generation. He emphasizes the importance of three key principles: the need for human connection, the danger of getting lost in oneself, and the power of giving without expecting anything in return. These principles serve as seeds for personal growth and success. Small also highlights the shared responsibility of creating positive change and the impact that individuals can have on future generations. Takeaways Culture plays a crucial role in education and can be used as a tool to engage students in learning. Low literacy rates have a significant impact on individuals and society as a whole. Partnerships between organizations and the education sector can help address the challenges in literacy and education. It is important to include diverse perspectives in decision-making processes to ensure effective solutions. Human connection is essential for personal growth and success. Avoid getting lost in oneself and focus on finding purpose and meaning. Giving without expecting anything in return can lead to personal fulfillment and blessings. Creating positive change requires a shared responsibility and collective effort. The impact of our actions can have a ripple effect on future generations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Definition of Culture 01:18 Meeting People Where They Are 02:25 The Intersection of Culture and Education 04:14 Creating Reading with a Rapper 08:12 Using Rap Music to Engage Students 12:14 Challenges and Opportunities 15:25 The Importance of Literacy 17:04 The Impact of Low Literacy 20:53 Advice for Educators and Policymakers 23:24 The Need for Diverse Perspectives 26:12 The Importance of Community 29:54 The Power of the College Experience 32:46 Partnerships with Nike and Microsoft 35:08 Continuing the Work Beyond the Headlines 36:05 Final Thoughts and Takeaways 37:04 The Power of Giving 38:02 Shared Responsibility 39:06 Impact and Ripple Effect JOIN THE NEWSLETTER 📫 Be the first to hear about behind the scenes, new episode drops and live shows near you! Sign up: https://tr.ee/QJ4c7FUWBj LISTEN TO THE SHOW iTunes: http://bit.ly/3XDA3sl Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3D33sCM JOIN OUR COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/cultureraisesus 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/cultureraisesus 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cultureraisesus ABOUT US Culture Raises US. It isn’t just something we’re impacted by, it’s also something we can impact. As empowered stewards of Culture, it’s time to get smart on how we can continue influencing society while breaking new grounds. On Culture Raises US, Astor Chambers invites you to join for honest, insightful, and challenging conversations with pioneering cultivators across music, fashion, tech, sports, art, and entertainment.

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