As a 7-year-old girl in the 80s in Los Angeles, I watched my cousins bust headspins and helicopters outside on their linoleum. I wanted to break too, but they said “girls don’t breakdance, it’s too dangerous.” I watched their crew paint graffiti and murals on walls, and I wanted to learn how to piece.  “Girls don’t do graf, the paint fumes are bad for you.” They were dead wrong—hip-hop is full of B-Boys AND B-Girls. But in order to live the dream, you have to have inspiration and role models.  That’s why I’m excited and proud to be a part of the 1st annual B-Girl Be Summit, taking place this spring at Intermedia Arts. For young girls with dreams like the ones I had, they’ll get the chance to see B-Girls in action, representing all four elements of Hip-Hop. For the first time ever in the Twin Cities, and possibly anywhere, women of all ages, colors and nationalities will convene to celebrate Hip-Hop and share their knowledge, skills and experiences with the world. The event comes at a crucial time in Hip-Hop, where images of women are often stereotypical and one-sided. B-Girl Be’s mission is to dispel these myths. B-Girl Be will feature workshops, panels, live performances, film screenings, live graffiti art, breakdancing, MCs, and DJs on a mission to entertain and educate the Twin Cities’ community. There’s something for everyone at B-Girl Be, from Hip-Hop aficionados to elders who’ve only seen the “rap” side of things—until now. So regardless of who you are, or how you feel about Hip-Hop, please join us in celebrating B-Girls, the grandmothers, mothers and daughters of Hip-Hop.