What role can African American Studies play in developing students of the post-Hip Hop generations?

The question posed is in direct response to two events that our class participated in. The first was the City of Champaign presentation to community residents regarding the plans for the redevelopment of Bristol Park. There were concerns that the outcome of the project was going to be gentrification of another historically African American space. The second event was the African American Cultural Center's state of the black student at Illinois program. Students expressed concerns about racist incidents in the residence halls, being the only African American in class, and the difficulty some students have adjusting to a predominately white campus.

Has African American Studies addressed issues like these in the past? If so, what were the results? Have African American Studies programs addressed gentrification issues in communities, If so, what were the results? Are these areas that Hip Hop could play a role, if so, how?

Did Brown address any of these issues in the latest readings, if so, what did he say and what can we learn from his discourse?