Corey DePina | Zumix & Young Audiences of Massachusetts

Hip hop artist, educator, youth development leader and man-with-the-infectious-smile, Corey DePina and I met at New York Pizza in Boston to talk about art, mentorship and changing lives.  As we sat at a small table, drenched in the late-morning sunlight, Corey shared that as a kid, he attended the Peoples Baptist Church just down the road.  His Cape Verdean parents arranged for a neighbor to take him each week since his Dad was busy running the family-owned store and his Mom didn’t speak much English. What he remembers most from the church years was the music, and it is music that continues to shape and sustain his life.

Coming of age in the early 90s, his love of breakdancing, hip hop and “creating something out of what you have” eventually led him to being one of the early teen participants at Zumix, a non-profit dedicated to building community through music and creative technology. The year was 1992 and at the time, Zumix, a newly created operation, was being run out of the co-founders’ homes. Corey describes the profound impact of his mentors who helped him to navigate the sub-par Boston Public School experience, to deepen his love of music and to develop leadership and self-advocacy skills.

Years later, Corey now pays it forward, working on the staff at both Zumix and Young Audiences of MA to teach and mentor other young artists. His entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to social change also led him to create the The Fogo Project. After a trip to Cape Verde to explore his own cultural heritage, Corey launched a fundraising campaign to bring instruments and music lessons to this poor island community.

In February, Corey received an award for his contributions to the Boston community, recognized as an Honoree of Black Excellence.