- April, 30, 2026
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When Kylerr Bucano ’15 stood on the Commencement stage to receive the prestigious New Era Award, it was the culmination of four years of helping to shape his community. He was a prominent and influential fixture on campus back then: a resident assistant, captain of the men’s basketball team, and president of both the Criminal Justice and Communication honor societies. Today, he’s applying those same leadership principles he developed at Curry to a landmark project: the launch of The Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx.
Inspired by faculty members like Professor Karen Lischinsky, Bucano initially sought a career in the criminal justice system, but eventually found his true calling in prevention and advocacy. He began his professional journey as a case manager for a GED program, helping at-risk youth navigate housing, food insecurity, and educational hurdles. His commitment to helping others led him to New York University, where he earned a Master of Social Work degree. “I always had that passion for helping people,” he said. “Even if I wasn't the star on the court, I was always the person cheering others on and helping them find their way.”
Today, Bucano is at the forefront of a cultural revolution. Working with his father, CEO Rocky Bucano at the Hip Hop Museum, he’s helping to document and celebrate the history of a genre that has shaped the world. In his role, Bucano manages social media, oversees project management for the museum’s evolving “Revolution of Hip Hop” exhibits, and ensures the museum’s story is told with accuracy, respect, and authenticity. The Hip Hop Museum is set to open during fall of 2026.
Bucano’s advice for current Curry students is to dive into every opportunity the College offers. Looking back at his decade-plus since graduation, he knows that the “soul‑feeding” work he does today is a direct result of being an active, engaged student - whether he was supporting classmates and teammates on campus or guiding young people in the community through difficult circumstances. Today, as he helps to preserve the legacy of hip hop culture, his goal has remained the same—to make a meaningful impact.
Kylerr Bucano '15Curry gives you the space to be a leader if you’re willing to step up. Those connections and that community stay with you long after you leave.
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