Meet the Advisors + Community Partners
My name is Seth Markle and I am an Associate Professor of History and International Studies and the current Director of the International Studies Program at Trinity College. I have served as the Faculty Advisor to the Trinity Chapter of Temple of Hip Hop since 2010. I decided to get involved in an advisory role because it allows for the opportunity to work with college students outside of the classroom, especially in connecting them with the Hartford community.
Minister Server Tavares – A dynamic Hip Hop Cultural Strategist with spiritual conviction, organizational skills and a true gift of inspiring people to tap into their greatness! He is a committed leader with integrity, passion and experience, who has spent over 25 years dedicated to the development, growth and preservation of Hip Hop culture around the world!
Originally from Atlantic City, NJ, he graduated from Wilberforce University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and moved to Atlanta, GA. After graduating from the ministry school in 2003, Hip Hop pioneer/legend, KRS-One, appointed him as a Spiritual Advisor, Lead Minister and National Organizer with the Temple Of Hip Hop movement! For two years he worked with KRS and the TOH in several capacities, he also performs on five songs, has a solo Spoken Word piece and even has a song freestylin’ with KRS, on “Keep Right”, the 2004 KRS-One album!
My name is Lindaluz Carrillo I am an Urban Artist and graphic designer from Hartford. I have been helping the Temple of Hip Hop organize the graffiti/mural showcase and live exhibitions for the International Hip Hop Festival for the past two year. I grew up going to the Hip Hop fests and it’s definitely one of my favorite events! I’m excited to be a part of this group because I know how much it’s impacted me and my creative work. I hope everyone that attends is able to take something from the experience.
Growing up with a DJ as a father (DJ James Gregory) and older brother (DJ G-Squared/King Squared) G-Whiz started his music journey as a DJ at the tender age of 9 years old. The beginnings of his musical journey as a party and radio DJ spanned from Connecticut to the “DMV”, by way of his academic stay at the University of Maryland. It was there when G-Whiz discovered his love for beat making and production. With his gritty, drum heavy style of beats, G-Whiz moved forward into the Hip-Hop underground, winning beat battles up and down the east coast and going as far west as Los Angeles. Whiz then would later translate his battle reputation into composing and crafting rhythmic soundtracks for artists like OC (DITC), Billy Danze (M.O.P.), Sticky Fingaz (Onyx) and many more to mention. His skills as a music producer and composer gained the recognition from the music industry and has lead G-Whiz to the current spot in his journey as a producer and composer for Soy/ATV. Stay tuned – there is much more to come!
Hey guys! My name is Taris MGP Clemons Aka MachineGun Poptart of United Outkast Crew & Universal Zulu Nation 860. I am a 20 year professional competitive dancer/ Dance Instructor & Graffiti muralist. I call Hartford my home as I represent Ct Hip Hop all over the world through my dance & art. I’ve been blessed as the event coordinator for the Trinity International Hip-Hop Festival’s high level dance competition for the last 4 years. My goal for this portion of the festival has been to highlight and showcase the world’s best dancer locally & abroad,while giving them the platform & audience. I’m greatly appreciative to work with and be a part of Temple of Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop culture is us and it’s our responsibility to represent it the way we see it to be.
Jasmin Agosto was a founding member of the Trinity College chapter of Temple of Hip Hop as a student from 2006-2010. As a senior in high school, she attended the first ever Trinity International Hip Hop Festival in the spring of 2006. As a freshman at Trinity College, she felt that being a part of the organizing team of the festival would give her a sense of belonging at a white-dominant private college, develop her skills as a burgeoning performing arts curator, and give her the opportunity to help Temple of Hip Hop build more Hartford community connections. She worked with the City of Hartford’s Youth Services department to bring the first Youth 4 Change conference and showcase to the Trinity International Hip Hop Festival in 2010, when she was the lead organizer, and has been working with students on this component of the festival ever since.
Khaiim the RapOet, also known as Self Suffice, is a Trinity College alumnus known for being both an educator and performer. As an educator, Suffice holds lectures, workshops, and classes on the topic of rap, poetry, and culture at Hartford schools, local libraries, and public parks as a means of giving back to his community. Outside of his role as an educator, Suffice is a rapper heavily involved in the Trinity Hip Hop festival as a featured artist, host, and community partner.
