Hip Hop Pop Honoured with the Chair’s Award for Excellence at the Harlow Awards

Directors of Hip Hop Pop, Jen and Vic, with Leader of the Council, Dan Swords, and Chair of Harlow Council, Andrew Johnson.

Last week, Hip Hop Pop was honoured to receive the Chair’s Award for Excellence at the Harlow Awards — and honestly, we are incredibly grateful.

To even be nominated came as a complete surprise to us, so firstly, thank you to whoever put our name forward. After 24 years of sharing our passion for dance in Harlow, being recognised in this way by our local community means more than we can properly put into words.

When Vic and I attended the awards dinner, we were simply happy to be there and celebrate alongside so many amazing people and organisations who do wonderful things in Harlow. So when Hip Hop Pop was announced as winners, we were genuinely shocked.

This award does not belong only to us. It belongs to every single person who has been part of Hip Hop Pop over the years. To our tutors — thank you for your energy, talent, care and commitment to every student who walks through our doors. To our students, past and present — thank you for bringing the passion, confidence, personality and joy that makes Hip Hop Pop what it is. To all of the parents and families — thank you for the lifts, the waiting, the costumes, the encouragement and the endless support over the years. To the Harlow Playhouse and their personel — thank you for continually supporting the arts and giving young performers incredible opportunities and experiences. To the local businesses and supporters who back what we do — thank you for believing in community projects like ours and helping them continue to grow. And to Harlow itself — thank you.

Harlow has always been important to us. Hip Hop Pop was built here, has grown here, and has been shaped by the people and community around it. We have watched generations of young people grow in confidence, build friendships, discover a love of dance and go on to achieve amazing things.

To be recognised by our town in this way is something we will never take for granted.

We are proud, grateful and very, very thankful.

Thank you, Harlow.

Jen & Vic - Directors of Hip Hop Pop