This year, ATL Hip Hop Day is raising the bar by spotlighting the youth movement shaping hip hop culture. We’re proud to announce the Grow Your World Youth Hour, happening both days of the festival (August 30–31, 2025) at Historic Fourth Ward Park.
Grow Your World is a nonprofit creating safe, dynamic spaces for young people to grow through mentorship, creativity, and hands-on life skills. With roots in North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia, they’ve pioneered programs ranging from community gardens to music studios to arts-based mentorship.
What to Expect During the Grow Your World Youth Hour:
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Rap Battles: Topic-driven battles with respect at the core.
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Performance Showcases: Young artists take the stage to perform their original music.
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Prizes & Recognition: On Sunday, both a Rap Battle winner and a performance champion will be crowned — and awarded cash prizes to fuel their creative journeys.
⚠️ General Rules for Performing or Entering the Battle:
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No dissing
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No cursing
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No violence references
Why It Matters
The U.S. Surgeon General has declared loneliness a public health crisis, especially for young people. Grow Your World combats this by fostering community, creativity, and mentorship — giving youth a chance to connect, express themselves, and feel seen.
This partnership ensures ATL Hip Hop Day isn’t just about celebrating the past and present of hip hop — but investing in its future.
👉 Sign up talented youth at growyourworld.org
👉 Vendors & Performers: Secure your slots at www.atlantahiphopday.com
More info on Grow Your World:
Grow Your World is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates spaces where youth and community members can thrive through creativity, mentorship, and connection. We provide near-peer mentor tutoring and academic support, alongside arts-based programs, music production, and hands-on life skills, to help young people succeed in school and in life. We also partner with colleges and universities to support college students as they grow in leadership and community engagement. With roots in North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia, Grow Your World empowers youth to dream big, build confidence, shape their own futures, and grow stronger communities together.
Sophie Suberman is the Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Grow Your World, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through mentorship, creativity, and community engagement. With a background in Spanish, coaching and education, Sophie is passionate about building opportunities for young people to thrive. Her leadership bridges vision and action, supporting initiatives that connect youth, families, and communities across North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia.
Soteria Shepperson is an artist, social entrepreneur, and Co-Founder/Co-Executive Director of Grow Your World, a nonprofit that empowers young people, artists, and communities through mentorship, creativity, and connection. A poet, musician, and TEDx speaker, she uses storytelling and the arts to inspire growth and create opportunities across North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. Passionate about education, leadership, and community building, Soteria is dedicated to creating spaces where young people, artists, and communities can thrive.
Want to join the movement? Limited vendor & performer slots are available → www.www.atlantahiphopday.com
