Abdullah Powell – Creative Director

Email: abdullah@elementz.org

website: www.JourneyOnAkhe.com

Abdullah first started out volunteering as a recording engineer at Elementz during its opening year in 2005. He then spent 4 years of dedicated work at Elementz as the manager of the Audio Production Program, as a facilitator of leadership development programs and as a mentor to youth. Abdullah is currently the Creative Director of Elementz.

Abdullah gained a great deal of insight in using media production and music as tools for social change from his father Chris Powell who is a renowned musician, producer and the founder of the non-profit organization for youth called S.T.A.R.S. Abdullah is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Electronic Media, and is also certified in Audio Recording and Studio Maintenance from the Recording Workshop. He also is an alumnus of the AmeriCorps social services program and the Center of Progressive Leadership Fellowship program. Through his experience with media and social services he intends to lead Elementz in its mission to provide positive adults and relevant arts programs to youth which will aid them in their life success.

Frank “Nitty” Morris - Beats & Rhymes Instructor

Email: youngfnitty@yahoo.com

Frankie Morris a.k.a Young Frank Nitty or Nitty for short is 22 years old and is from Downtown, Cincinnati. He is a hip hop artist and Artist Development Instructor. His job is to lead the way as an hip hop artist and  teach the youth how develop as song writers, recording engineers and performers. Nitty has been an active  member of Elementz for since 2006. As a member he was an active performing artist, a leader and student of Elementz Artist Development program which made him eligible to work in the position he has today. Nitty is a proud parent of one son. Nitty is also one of the original members of “Tha LeaD”   an Elementz program that specializes in Leadership and artistic development.

DJ Apryl Reign – DJ Instructor

Email: djapryl_reign@yahoo.com

April Carr aka, DJ Apryl Reign has been deejaying since 1996 and has been teaching DJ Classes at Elementz since 2005. Her vast experience and knowledge in this element of Hip-Hop has helped students explore the many avenues that deejaying provides especially in the area of entrepreneurship. She graduated from Dayton Dunbar High School and then from Central State in 1997 with a degree in Psychology.

Kasib Hasan – Dance Director

Kasib Hasan is a dancer with over 20 years of experience. He resides in Cincinnati, Ohio where he is cofounder and director of phantasee entertainment. He started dancing with his cousins as a hobby, to nurture his skill he performed and competed in neighborhood competitions and showcases. This is how he developed his techniques and was educated in the craft of hip-hop dance. Later in his career he added ballet, tap and cultural African dance to his repertoire. Kasib laid the foundation for his career as a dancer and choreographer in 1983 at age 12. At that time he attended the School for the Creative and Performing Arts. In the first two of his three years there he held a double major of art and instrumental music as well as a double minor of creative writing and vocal music. Kasib Hasan left SCPA after being selected as a pilot student for Burton Elementary School, Computers in Education program. He returned his seventh grade year and majored in drama and dance and minors of vocal and instrumental music. He graduated from the Hughes Center School of Computer Professions as Junior Achievement VP of Marketing, Jobs for Cincinnati Graduates Vice President as well as Senior Class Vice President. He has served as Activities Coordinator for the Substance Abuse Awareness & Prevention Strategies Program.

DERREK BURBRIDGE – Advanced Dance Choreographer 
Derrek hails from Cincinnati, Ohio. Derrek started out as a street dancer and participated in shows, battles and competitions. He has opened for Bootsy Collins, Lupe Fiasco, Omarion and Trey Songz. He is also Co-founder of the 20/Twenty as well as assistant coach for Komany krucial. His choreograghy has been seen on BET 106&park, Blaze the stage and The Universoul Circus among other performances and plays.

Tom Kent – Executive Director

Email: tkent@elementz.org

Tom Kent is a long-time resident of Greater Cincinnati and retired consultant in Information Technology. As Chair of the Outreach Board at Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal) in downtown Cincinnati, he has participated in a multi-year effort to provide financial support to Elementz and other non-profits who are working with youth in the core city. Prior to serving as Executive Director, Tom served on the Board of Elementz.  Tom brings an enthusiam for youth programs and particulary for the mission of Elementz.

Ryan “RStreetz” Crawford – Multimedia Coordinator/ VISIONS program instructor

Email: Rstreetz@elementz.org 

Born Ryan “Rstreetz” Crawford, February 5^th, 1986 in the inner city of Cincinnati,Ohio.  Raising Ryan as a single parent, his mother, Kimberly Edwards, played both parental roles in the home and also a strong mentor to Streetz. Tragically, in January of 2000, Streetz’ mother died suddenly of an asthma attack, leaving Streetz and his one year old sister in the care of his grandmother. The following year, Ryan entered high school at Purcell Marion making a name for himself early in high school by competing and winning daily rap battles held at lunchtime. Voted 2004’s Class Clown, Streetz’ graduated high school receiving a scholarship to Wright State University, where he would major in Film Arts. After a year and a half, Streetz returned to Cincinnati. That same summer, Streetz’ along with a couple fellow rappers, were directed to Elementz, a new hip-hop youth center. After becoming well acquainted with the staff, Streetz spent a lot of time after-hours completing his first mixtape, “Welcome 2 Rstreetz”. Streetz continued to record and perform with Elementz, building many personal and business relationships, which eventually landed him as staff position as a multimedia intern, where he continues to pursue and promote his career in entertainment.