Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL)

07/31/2026

We congratulate Prof Bun B on his return to campus! As CERCL & Dr. Anthony B. Pinn celebrate 20 Years of Hip Hip Rice University, follow us to celebrate two decades of culture, community, and impact—and stay tuned for exciting stories, events, and special moments ahead.

03/04/2026

Rice University’s 24-Hour Challenge is today! I hope you’ll consider supporting the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL). This year, CERCL aims to raise $5000 in support of our Hip Hop at Rice Initiatives. You can make your gift today at our 24 Hour Challenge page. Thank you for your support!

Join us as we Celebrate 20 years of Hip Hop @ Rice University | 2006-2026 | The study of Hip Hop at Rice began in Fall 2006 when Dr. Anthony B. Pinn offered a new course— RELI 157/311 Religion and Hip Hop Culture in America. In part through CERCL (formerly the Houston Enriches Rice Education Project), Dr. Pinn's work in Hip Hop at Rice includes various related projects—from creating an archive to panel discussions, lectures, and exhibits, to developing innovative courses, to partnerships with key members of the Hip Hop community, such as Bun B, K-Rino, KRS-ONE, Mia-X, and Kool Moe Dee among others.

Rice’s 24-Hour Challenge is March 4! Join me in supporting this extraordinary university.

01/31/2026

Our condolences to all who loved Michael “5000” Watts. CERCL is proud to have preserved part of a great legacy!

Swisha House makes history by being the first music label of ANY genre to be archived in Special Collections at Rice University's library.

04/02/2025

Today is Rice University's 24 Hour Challenge! A one-day fundraising event to support departments and initiatives like CERCLs Fund for Racial Justice Teaching and Programming.

Please help us to support: programs like MUSE: Musicians United for Social Equality; courses like Journey Towards Justice: Black Liberation & the Civil Rights Movement; and the creative engagements of CERCLs Artist-in-Residence Program.

Join me in supporting Rice University and make a gift to the 24-Hour Challenge!

11/11/2024

Join us for a Film Screening and Panel Discussion

gOD-Talk: A Black Millennials and Faith Conversation
MFAH, Caroline Wiess Law Building

The documentary gOD-Talk examines how Black Millennials navigate faith in the modern world, influenced by issues such as gender, sexuality, race, and culture. Despite a trend toward being “spiritual but not religious,” Black Millennials continue to question the role of organized religion today. Part of a five-year study on Black Millennials, gOD-Talk explores the spiritual journeys of seven individuals from diverse religious backgrounds, including Atheism, Buddhism, Christianity, Ifa, Islam, and Spiritualism.

Presented by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in association with the Pew Research Center and in conjunction with Rice University Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL), gOD-Talk complements the exhibition Living with the Gods: Art, Beliefs, and Peoples.

After the screening, you are invited to stay for a panel discussion with guests Anthony Pinn, Diamond Stylz, and Myokei Caine Barrett.

Admission is free with your ticket
https://www.mfah.org/calendar/god-talk/202411141800

11/05/2024

09/23/2024

Rice University's Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL) just added Mia X to their Hip Hop Archival Collection.

09/21/2024

It was a pleasure to honor Mia X and expand our Hip Hop at Rice collection and initiatives https://cercl.rice.edu/hip-hop-rice

Mia X, known as the Mother of Southern Hip-Hop, has officially been inducted into Rice University's Hip Hop Archival Collection.The hip-hop icon is the first...