Star Zee Expresses Gratitude to U.S Embassy For Certificate From IVLP Hip-Hop And Civic Engagement

Renowned Sierra Leonean female hip-hop artist, Linda Samai, widely known as Star Zee, has thanked the U.S Embassy for her recent certificate from International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) exchange in the U.S.A that spans from April 15 to April 26, 2024.

During her visit, Star Zee took to Facebook to share her experiences, highlighting her meeting at the office of the United States Department of State and her interaction with Rocky Bucano, the CEO of the hip-hop museum. In her post, she emphasized the significance of hip-hop culture and the IVLP initiative.

After the completion of the Programmme,  Star Zee took to her social media account thanking the US Embassy in Sierra Leone with a post, “What an incredible week! Just wrapped up the “Hip Hop and Civic Engagement” program with International Focus, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. I dived deep into how we can use hip hop as a force for good and foster real change in our communities. Feeling inspired and ready to bring all this energy and knowledge back to Sierra Leone! A big thank you U.S. Embassy Freetown, Sierra Leone Let’s make a difference together,”

Star Zee’s participation in the IVLP exchange aligns with the U.S. Department of State’s Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, which aims to leverage music to foster peace and cross-cultural connections worldwide. The initiative brings together participants from 22 countries to explore the role of hip-hop in promoting positive social change and economic growth.

During the program, participants engage in various activities across Washington, DC; New York, NY; and Raleigh and Chapel Hill, NC. They delve into topics such as archiving hip-hop history, empowering youth through music and visual arts, and the impact of hip-hop diplomacy.

In Washington, DC, Star Zee and other participants had the opportunity to learn about U.S. society and culture, attend panel discussions, and engage with representatives from National Geographic and local arts organizations. They explored the influence of hip-hop culture in empowering marginalized voices and fostering community among young people.