About Us – hittmobb.org

Our Mission Statement

Transforming Newark youth through technical arts, music, and creative pathways into a skilled, high-impact vocational workforce.

Born from the Streets, Built for the Future

HittMobb was founded on a simple but powerful belief: every young person has a story worth telling, a talent worth nurturing, and a future worth fighting for. In communities where opportunities feel scarce and obstacles seem endless, we create space for creativity, expression, and transformation.
We know the power of the arts because we’ve lived it. We’ve seen how a beat can replace anger with ambition, how a poem can turn pain into purpose, how a paintbrush can offer possibility. HittMobb is more than programs it’s a movement to ensure inner city youth have access to the same creative opportunities that changed our founder’s life.

The Meaning Behind HittMobb

Our name tells our story:
H – Hopeful: We inspire youth to believe in brighter futures and endless possibilities through creative expression.
I – Innovators: We cultivate original thinkers and creative problem-solvers who transform their communities through art.
T – Thriving: We help young people move beyond survival mode to truly flourish in their gifts and potential.
T – Through: We create pathways and bridges to opportunity that didn’t exist before.
M – Music: We harness the universal language of sound to heal, connect, and empower.
O – Opportunity: We open doors to education, mentorship, and professional pathways in the creative industries.

B – Building: We construct safe spaces, supportive communities, and sustainable futures for inner city youth.
B – Bonds: We forge meaningful connections between mentors and mentees, peers and collaborators, artists and their communities.

Our Values

Authenticity We keep it real. Our programs reflect genuine hip hop culture and street wisdom, not watered down versions. We honor where our youth come from while helping them get where they’re going.
Empowerment We don’t just teach skills—we build confidence, agency, and leadership. Every young person leaves our programs knowing they have power over their narrative.
Community We create family. HittMobb is a safe space where youth support each other, challenge each other, and grow together.
Excellence We demand the best from ourselves and our students. Quality matters, craft matters, and we never settle for less than what our youth are capable of achieving.
Emotional Wellness We recognize that creativity is healing. Our programs explicitly address emotional management, mental health, and using art as a tool for processing life’s challenges.

Why HittMobb Matters

When young people engage with the arts, transformation happens. They discover academic confidence they didn’t know they had. They find healthy ways to process emotions and navigate challenges. They build relationships with mentors who believe in their potential. They stay in school, stay focused, and stay connected to positive communities. Creative expression becomes the bridge between where they are and where they dream of being. Every young person who finds their voice through HittMobb is a story of resilience, a testament to potential, and proof that when we invest in creativity, we invest in community transformation

Our Impact

Since our founding, HittMobb has become a beacon of hope in our community. We’ve provided free artsprogramming to hundreds of inner city youth who might never have had access to professional-grade equipment, experienced mentors, or safe creative spaces. Our students have produced countless original tracks that tell their authentic stories. They’ve written and performed poetry that moves audiences to tears and action. They’ve created visual artworks that beautify neighborhoods and challenge perceptions. Beyond the music and art, we’ve built a family. Young people walk through our doors feeling invisible and walk out knowing they matter. They arrive carrying trauma and leave with tools to heal. They come alone and find community. Every day, we witness the transformation that happens when young artists realize their voice has power, their story has value, and their future has promise.

Founder: Daven "Prestige" Vanderpool

From the Block to the Boards: A Legacy in Hip Hop
Daven “Prestige” Vanderpool isn’t just a hip hop producer he’s a legend who’s lived the culture, shaped the sound, and now dedicates his craft to the next generation. With over two decades in the music industry, Prestige has produced tracks that defined eras, worked with artists who shaped hip hop history, and earned his stripes in studios from coast to coast. His signature sound gritty, soulful, and uncompromisingly authentic has influenced countless producers and moved millions of listeners.
But Prestige’s greatest production is still being created: the future of inner city youth.Growing up in environments where survival often overshadowed dreams, Prestige found salvation in hip hop.The culture gave him community, purpose, and a way to transform his experiences into art. Music production became his therapy, his education, and his escape. Now, through HittMobb, he’s ensuring that the same opportunities that saved him are available to young people who need them most.

The Journey: Prestige has spent over two decades producing professional hip hop tracks that have moved millions and influenced countless producers. He’s worked with prominent artists across the hip hop industry, earning respect for his authentic, street-conscious production style. Throughout his career, he’s mentored dozens of emerging producers and artists, always staying dedicated to preserving hip hop culture while pushing it forward. His legendary status isn’t just about the beats he’s made it’s about the lives he’s touched and the culture he’s helped shape.
Philosophy: “Hip hop raised me when the streets tried to break me. These programs aren’t just about making music they’re about making it out, making a difference, and making sure the next generation knows their voice matters. I’m living proof that the arts can change everything.”