Financial literacy and the legacy of hip-hop collided on Thursday when the incoming Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx and Chase partnered together to host a series of panels at the bank’s Summerhill Community Center. The panels focused on the intersection of hip-hop, culture, and investment, with Thursday’s panel discussing building wealth & legacy.
The panel was hosted by Hot 107.9’s Fly Guy DC and featured comedian and content creator Funny Marco and Gene Johnson and Kelley Parker, the Atlanta-based real estate developers and educators who founded Construction Kings. The event also featured a presentation from Sydnee Scruggs, the vice president of investments at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management. Between the three, the event was a masterclass on investing, saving, and building for the future.
“When it comes to generational wealth, it’s not what you leave behind. Generational wealth is what you teach your kids while you’re still here for them to be able to take it and continue to grow,” Kelley Parker said. “The education that you can instill right now, while you’re still here, is what creates generational wealth,
Funny Marco shared that he’d bought a house with the help of the Construction Kings. He’s now working with them to diversify his portfolio and invest in other areas.
“It just feels good to actually do something with your money instead of doing stuff that you’ll regret. When you actually can see your money is better than just throwing it away,” Funny Marco said. “In the moment, you make money and you’re just so excited that you’re making it that you just want to buy things that make you excited. When you get older and you see your kids in the house that you bought, that’s gonna be a different touch.”
The pop-up was just a hint at what The Hip Hop Museum has in store when it opens in 2026. The first-of-its-kind museum was founded by hip-hop pioneers Rocky Bucano, Kurtis Blow, Grandwizzard Theodore, Grandmaster Melle Mel, and Joe Conzo Jr. to celebrate and preserve hip-hop music, dance, art, and culture.
Atlanta artifacts provided by The Hip Hop Museum dotted the intimate space in glass cases. One artifact on display was an embroidered Adidas satin jacket donated and worn by Grandmaster Dee of Whodini. Another was a 1985 flyer and free ticket coupon for the Hawks vs. Warriors games, which featured a halftime performer by Kurtis Blow and Whodini. The artifact description stated It was one of the earliest collaborations between hip-hop artists and major sports teams, setting the stage for future partnerships.
