“When you have an opportunity to play a big role with young people in the community, you have to take that seriously. That's an honor. Everybody doesn't get to do that.” Jace ECAj is an activist, an emcee, and half of the hip hop soul duo Black Stax. He’s also a well known and inspiring leader in the community and, in his role as Director of Community and Artist Development at The Residency, he gets to teach young artists and help prepare them for their future.  From being a great listener to showing up authentically and staying true to the things you believe in—Jace and Amalia chat about what this role entails. They also explore what hip hop means to Jace and how it’s shaped so many aspects of his life.  Key Takeaways Being “Black and Alive”: Learn more about the motto Jace lives by and the meaning behind it. Being an Activist is a Compliment: Jace shares his experience of getting his “hands in the mud” and standing up for what he believes in. The Whole Damn Pie means: For Jace, it’s living life holistically and giving every individual aspect its fair share of attention. Learn more about the incredible work The Residency are doing here: https://www.theresidencyseattle.org/