The 2026 Trinity International Hip Hop Festival celebrated 20 years of bringing together artists, students, and community members from Hartford and across the globe. It was organized by the Trinity Chapter of The Temple of Hip Hop—a student-run organization founded in 2006 to promote hip hop culture.
This year’s festival, titled “Voices of Freedom: Resistance, Justice, and Revolution,” was held April 9-12 at locations both on and off campus. Highlights included lectures, a student producer showcase, dance battles, and much more. A new permanent mural by international graffiti artists at Hartford’s Parkville Market will leave a lasting mark on the city.
See photos from the festival in the gallery below.
Two Trinity College student-led teams have been selected to receive Projects for Peace grants for summer 2026, joining a long tradition of Trinity students designing community-based solutions for local challenges worldwide.
For 20 years, the Trinity International Hip Hop Festival has brought together artists, students, and community members from Hartford and across the globe. A new photo exhibit opening in conjunction with this year’s festival celebrates its history and legacy.
Highlights from March included the arrival of spring, talks by many special guests, an art exhibit opening, musical performances, Trinity students conducting research, Hartford students learning to skate, and more events that brought the community together.
Multi-time tech CEO, entrepreneur, and Trinity Trustee N. Louis “Lou” Shipley ’85 will be the speaker at the College’s 200th Commencement on Sunday, May 17. Honorary degrees will be awarded to Shipley, as well as to Joanne Berger-Sweeney, Trinity College president, emerita, and Carolyn “Carrie” Pelzel ’74.
