This week, Pharrell and Pusha T launched Grindin Coffee. Named after arguable their most famous song together, the coffee is blended by Lavazza. The team at Grindin send Chauncey Jenkins a free sample to try. Here are his thoughts:

“Very balanced coffee with a sweet finish. Great daily drinking option.

The finish here is very long - still prevalent about 30 minutes after finishing the cup, but not a bitter finish the sweetness of the coffee slowly reveals itself. Lots of dark chocolate - like 70% cacao notes here - so a touch of that known bitterness of cacao then the subtle notes of berry (a little underripe blueberry, dried apricot feel on the palate) you get from intense dark chocolate.

There's a distinct and pronounced nuttiness that persists, I feel you get the nutty notes before the chocolate and think you need to let the coffee cool a bit to get more of the pronounced chocolate. It's like toasted macadamia and hazelnut covered a piece of 70% cacao.

I did this at 1:15 ratio in French press with a 30sec bloom. Water temp at 194 degrees Fahrenheit. 4 minute brew time. Gonna try it as pour over to test the difference! I'll be trying the dark roast soon!”

The Virginia Hip-Hop Foundation was proud to serve as a media partner for COSMIC ECHO LIVE, taking place at the historic Hippodrome Theatre on September 13, celebrating the life, music, and legacy of Richmond-born cosmic jazz icon Lonnie Liston Smith. The event featured live performances, stories from across his remarkable career, and a heavy-weight lineup of some of Richmond’s most accomplished musicians and artists!

The event was a great moment for Richmond and a great moment for HIP-HOP, celebrating the legend. Thank you to the Cosmic Echo Documentary team for having Co-Founder, Chauncey Jenkins, as a featured speaker during the program. It was our pleasure to be part of this historic moment. Can't wait for the final documentary to be released in 2027.

Had the opportunity to help with content strategy for Meek Mill’s Dream Chasers Summit at Temple. Thankful to my guy Prince for bringing me on board. Big shoutout to Malik on Meek’s Management team for trusting my insights. 

Also, THE SQUAD IS FOREVER! Asia is a Philly kid now so brought her along. Also got to see my Temple folks, Paige, Getz, and Robin, proud of yall!

On August 22, 2026, we celebrated the One Year Anniversary of the Virginia Hip-Hop Foundation. DJs Hip-Hop Henry and J.Frvncis provided the soundtrack for the evening with songs only from Virginia Hip-Hop artists and producers. Thank you to everyone who came out to our one year party. Thank you to everyone who has supported us in our first year.

Photos by Ty Shot Me

Virginia Hip-Hop Foundation partnered with the I See You Bro Collective to host a listening session and conversation in celebration of the album’s anniversary. Our featured guest speakers were 757 radio legend, DJ Fountz, and Virginia-Based artists Breeze Barker and Tyler Donavan. We talked about how ‘In My Mind’ has impacted a generation of   creatives, from Virginia and beyond.

Photos by Ty Shot Me

Photos by D. Holloway Photography

In June, YMCA USA held their 5th annual Changemakers Summit. The 3 day event offers rising 10th–12th graders the chance to present a project idea that addresses an important issue or need in their hometown.

Michael Fletcher participated in the opening night of the summit by providing a keynote speech and facilitating a sneaker customization workshop. Each student was given a free pair of all white Nike Air Force Ones to create their own wearable art. Some students used their shoe designs as an additional way to tell stories related to their project proposal.

91 students from across the country walked into the room with a blank pair of Air Force 1s. They left with something much bigger than custom sneakers-they left wearing their stories, ideas, and the impact they want to make in their communities.

This is why we do what we do.

Design isn't just about making things look good. It's a way to build confidence, communicate ideas, and help young people see that their creativity has value.

Photo courtesy of by YMCA USA

Thankful for the opportunity to be a community partner for Pharrell’s Williams non-profit organization, TEAM YELLOW. For the first few months of this past school year, I ran the Content Creation club after school at YELLOW HAB. We spent time watching videos on YouTube and other social platforms to talk about what type of content they like to watch and make and why. We also were able to create some fun videos which gave them opportunity to get comfortable in front of and behind the camera and be introduced to programs like Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop. Thank You to Stephanie L. Sutton , Dr. Goodman, Mr. E and the whole YELLOW staff. And Thank You to the explorers, I’m always here if you need me!

Leon Clarke had a role in a new promo for the The GIST USA as part of their content related to the World Cup. Check out the video at here and catch Leon at the :46 mark!

In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, Virginia Hip-Hop Foundation hosted a Culture Talk discussing the history, impact, and influence of Asian Americans in Hip-Hop. Thank you to our guests; Joseph Patel, NOAH-O, Intalek, Cymandye Russell, Mundane, and MG. Thank you to our sponsor and partners; the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Dominion Energy, Asian American Society of Central Virginia, and Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce. Also special thanks to Mama Vicky’s Lumpia and Filipino Cuisine and Hip-Hop collector Chase Gozum.

Photos by D. Holloway Photography

EVERYDAY MONUMENTS by Mike Fletcher

Art didn't stay on the wall... it moved.

Shoutout to the students who showed up and created.

Shoutout to the parents who made space for it.

Shoutout to Virginia Moca for letting us take over.

Gallery → sketch → real, wearable product.

Monuments don't have to sit still.

They can live on your feet.

This is bigger than sneakers.

This is process, confidence, and ownership-real time.

We're just getting started.

🎥 Tristan Langhorne

Chauncey Jenkins had a great time hosting a whiskey tasting for fellow Cornellians for Cornell Black Alumni Association’s 50th Anniversary weekend. Big salute to Antonia Singleton for reaching out! We explored the history of different styles of whiskey and focused on some emerging black voices in the industry. We started the evening with Oaxacan Old Fashioneds featuring 3708 Spirits Reposado!!! Highlights of the tasting were Edmonds Honor Bourbon and Shinju Whisky - a black owned bourbon and black-owned Japanese whiskey. Toast to all who came out and congrats to CBAA on 50 years.

Leon Clarke fitness photo shoot in Richmond, Virginia with Ty Hilton

Opening weekend with Michael Fletcher at YMCA of Greater Richmond:

Students took a blank pair of sneakers and turned them into personal statements — telling stories about identity, culture, pressure, and the choices that shape their lives.

Design became the language. Creativity became the outlet.

This is what happens when young people are given space to imagine, create, and build something that represents them.

More labs. More cities. More stories to tell.

Great conversation discussing the experiences, influences, and impact of women in hip-hop. Thank you to our guests; The Lady of Rage, Mikki Spencer, Justice R., Farrah Fawx, June Jones and Dr. Kay Coghill. Thank you to our sponsors and partners; the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Mostly Sugar Media, and Dominion Energy.

[Via @OurOwn Instagram]

With NBA All-Star Weekend taking over the city, we stayed intentional about creating space for the youth.

In partnership with Mike Fletcher and @odysee.ed, we brought Mood Lab to students in Inglewood for a hands-on workshop focused on color theory, design, and creative expression. Each student tapped into their creativity to design their own one-of-one custom Converse Chuck Taylors, fully immersing themselves in the process and bringing their ideas to life.

Moments like this matters because creativity gives young people a safe, empowering outlet to express emotions, build confidence, discover their voice, and see tangible pathways into future opportunities.

@porterhousela

Congratulations to Michael Fletcher who partnered with the Los Angeles Rams to design content for the team’s ‘Setting the Standard’ Campaign to celebrate Black History Month.

Read more info here: https://www.therams.com/news/2026-black-history-month-page-meet-the-artist-michael-fletcher

Represented Chauncey Jenkins at a tasting event to celebrate Beyoncé’s Sir Davis Whiskey coming to Virginia.

Cameron George, Global Head of Advocacy and Whisky Blender for Sir Davis, gave us very dope and informative insights about the the brand and how it came to life.

Good meeting my guy JD Reid as well!

The Virginia Hip-Hop Foundation was honored to help facilitate opportunities for students to attend the Pep Rally and Opening Preview celebration for the “GIANTS” exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts that features pieces from The Dean Collection of Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz

Mike Fletcher has two pieces featured in ‘Where We Meet’ at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. The exhibit celebrates the creative voices of the region and marks the final show in Virginia MOCA’s current building before the museum transitions to a new facility in early 2026.

Hip-Hop History Month at VSU was the first official event for the Virginia Hip-Hop Foundation and we look forward to bringing members of the Virginia Hip-Hop community together for more events in 2026 and beyond.