Words Beats and Life Inc

EIN: 270062812 501(c)(3) Arts, Culture & Humanities

Washington, DC

Total Revenue
$2,339,266
Total Expenses
$2,417,037
Total Assets
$541,193
Net Assets
$173,186
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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
2003
Legal Domicile
DC
Phone
2026671192
Tax Period
2023-09-01 to 2024-08-31

Words Beats and Life Inc, founded in 2003, is a community nonprofit in the Arts, Culture & Humanities sector that reported $2.3M in total revenue in fiscal year 2023. Revenue surged 21% from the prior year, signaling strong growth momentum.

Mission

The mission of Words Beats and Life is to transform individual lives and communities through Hip-Hop culture in all its forms: emceeing, deejaying, graffiti, street art, spoken word poetry, dance, beat production, and knowledge of self.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $586,045

Our Arts Education programming exposes students to new knowledge, techniques and methods, as well as provides opportunities to grow their knowledge and network through alternative winter and spring...

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Our Arts Education programming exposes students to new knowledge, techniques and methods, as well as provides opportunities to grow their knowledge and network through alternative winter and spring break activities. We also provide opportunities for young artists to practice what we teach through performances, and public art making, as well as encouraging these students to manage their own projects and events by participating in our Arts Management program. Our work in schools has been with young people in Middle School, High School and College, with participants ranging from 12-22. In community contexts, we work with people as young as 10 and with adults 23 and older. Despite popular misunderstandings about our culture, Hip-Hop is likely created, participated in, and celebrated by the most diverse set of people in terms of audiences, practitioners, supporters, and consumers. Our teachers, students, audiences, and selected master artists are diverse not just racially, ethnically, religiously, and economically but also in terms of age, gender, orientation, and ability status. Programs include the WBL Academy, Like a Boss: Arts Management Program, Walk It Like I talk It, Entrepreneurship Program. Finally we have our College and career mentorship program called College Material.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2023)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $2,070,829
Program Service Revenue $268,437
Investment Income $0
Other Revenue $0
TOTAL REVENUE $2,339,266

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $366,723
Fundraising Expenses $28,117
Program Expenses $2,192,175
Other Expenses $2,050,314
TOTAL EXPENSES $2,417,037

Year-over-Year Comparison

2023 2022 Change
Revenue $2,339,266 $1,939,183 +0.2%
Expenses $2,417,037 $1,826,202 +0.3%
Net Income $-77,771 $112,981 -1.7%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
15
Independent Members
15
Employees
7
Volunteers
75

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
5
$0
Total Directors
15
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
1
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Jamila Sams Chair 3
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Kenysha Bartee 1st Vice Chair 3
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Ptosha Davis 2nd Vice Chair 3
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Naima Costello Secretary 3
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Elaine Kennedy Treasurer 3
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Helen Bryant Member 2
Director
$0 $0 $0
Saafir Rabb Member 2
Director
$0 $0 $0
Timothy Anne Burnside Member 2
Director
$0 $0 $0
Erwin Kwawu Member 2
Director
$0 $0 $0
William Hegwood Member 2
Director
$0 $0 $0
Tonia Wellons Member 2
Director
$0 $0 $0
Mark Lawrence Member 2
Director
$0 $0 $0
Samantha Armstrong Member 2
Director
$0 $0 $0
Gloria Nauden Member 2
Director
$0 $0 $0
Dishan De Silva Member 2
Director
$0 $0 $0
Mazi Mutafa Executive Director 45
Highest
$119,231 $0 $119,231
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 No data No data No data No data
2024 $2,339,266 $2,417,037 $541,193 $-77,771
2023 $1,939,183 $1,826,202 $433,923 $112,981
2022 $1,440,378 $1,250,914 $235,404 $189,464
2021 $1,053,933 $1,032,209 $127,052 $21,724
2020 $509,501 $514,983 $102,672 $-5,482
2019 $503,547 $533,747 $165,525 $-30,200
2018 $445,003 $413,085 $140,112 $31,918
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