Toki Wright

Toki Wright is a two-time Emmy Award winner and six-time nominee. He is a two-time CLIO Award winner, including for advertising with General Mills for the no. 1 worldwide Twitter trending project “Watch the Stove.”

As an emcee and producer, Wright travels the world through arts diplomacy. He has worked with the U.S. State Department, TED Talks, and his youth-led nonprofit YO! the Movement, which helps build community through the arts. He is a freelance writer, radio host, a former judge for NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest, and a community organizer.

Wright has released albums and films through his media company Soul Tools Entertainment that have reached the top 50 on MTV, iTunes, and more. Wright has performed at events such as Coachella, Rock the Bells, and Scribble Jam. He has toured with Evidence of Dilated Peoples, Brother Ali, Atmosphere, the late Sean Price, and J-Live. Wright has released recordings with Talib Kweli, BJ the Chicago Kid, Caroline Smith, P.O.S., G Yamazawa, and others.

Before relocating with his family to Boston, Massachusetts, Wright was the department head of the United States’ first fully accredited hip-hop studies program at McNally Smith College of Music. The program was awarded “best transformative higher learning model” from the Hip-Hop Education Center at NYU. Wright also facilitated seven Twin Cities Celebration of Hip-Hop Festivals and helped establish “Hip-Hop at H.E.A.L.S,” a program for former child soldiers in Gulu, Northern Uganda.