Shamako Noble

Shamako Noble is a co-founder and current president of the Hip Hop Congress. He is also the director of the H2Ed program for the Hip Hop Association, which uses education, media and leadership to preserve and develop Hip Hop culture. Before moving into those two positions, Shamako worked as a community outreach and development director for a youth center in Menlo Park. As an artist, Shamako has been performing since a very young age. In 2004, he released his first solo album, "The Return of the Coming of the Aftermath." Shamako, who was once known as the "Kevin Bacon of South Bay Hip Hop," is now moving into a similar role nationally. Within the Hip Hop realm, Shamako is involved in culture, industry, education and politics. Locally he also works with an organization called R.E.F.U.G.E. (Real Education for Urban Growth Enterprises), that specializes in using the urban arts to teach life skills, leadership and culture. R.E.F.U.G.E. has collaborated with City Year, Conservation Corp, Public Allies, San Jose State, De Anza College and many other organizations around the Bay Area.