Young people today who have embraced hip-hop as a culture might help to decide the outcome of the next presidential election. When it became clear that both parties had presumptive nominees, the Hip-hop Summit Action Network (a New York based non-profit) launched Voteforit!08, a non-partisan online video campaign to help draw young Hip-hop fans of voting age into the voting booths. The news public service announcement, which features Doug E. Fresh, George Lucas, and R&B chart-topper, Ciara, was uploaded onto YouTube in July.
Seven years ago, the Hip-hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) kicked off with a town hall type meeting with participation from entertainment and music industry leaders. Since then, the organization has been using Hip-hop culture as a bridge to connect youth to community-based initiatives. (more…)
Hip hop has entered the housing crisis. In a news press conference held today in New York, members of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), including hip-hop pioneer and network cofounder Russell Simmons, announced a joint initiative called “Get Your House Right!” to provide solutions to the mortgage and foreclosure crisis for young Americans. Russell announced the initiative with HSAN Cofounder, President and CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis and Valeisha Butterfield, HSAN executive director.
“Get Your House Right!” is a homeownership tour that kicks off in New York City and is supported by corporate sponsor Genworth Financial. It works with professionals from the financial, mortgage and homeownership arena to educate Blacks and Latinos on the long-term benefits of homeownership in America. (more…)
Everybody’s gearing up for this year’s presidential election, especially when it comes down to the youth vote. People seem extremely enthusiastic, including iconic figures such as Russell Simmons, Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J and many more, who just launched their VOTE FOR IT 08! PSA announcement on Youtube.
On July 9th many gathered for the PSA unveiling and launch party, guests included Hip-Hop mogul, Russell Simmons and former CEO of the NAACP now, President of Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis. I got the chance to go to this event and speak with both gentlemen, who had very optimistic things to say about this year’s youth vote. (more…)
The Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund, PowerPAC and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network announced today the launch of an unprecedented, focused national campaign to mobilize the hip-hop generation of youth voters to ensure the largest youth voter turnout in American history on November 4, 2008.
The press conference to launch the national “Hip-Hop Team Vote: Turn Up The Vote” campaign will be held in the city of Philadelphia on March 19 at 11am EDT on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, Houston Hall (Bodek Lounge) at 3417 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. In addition, the press conference will announce a statewide youth voter registration effort between March 18 – March 24, the deadline to register voters for the April 22 Pennsylvania primary. (more…)
On the eve of Super Tuesday, Russell Simmons and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) call for a massive, unprecedented young voters turnout across America.
Recent polls show that young voters are poised to be the determining factor in the twenty-two states that will be holding Presidential primary elections tomorrow. Since 2003, HSAN has been a national leader in youth voter education, registration and mobilization. Its’ Hip-Hop Team Vote program has enabled and encouraged millions of young voters to participate in the electoral process. (more…)
H3 Enterprises, Inc. President & CEO, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, today announced that Barack Obama’s Florida team assembled and viewed the New Hampshire Presidential Primary returns last night at the recently opened HipHipSodaShop in Tampa, FL.
Over 100 members of Mr. Obama’s Bay Area staff and supporters enjoyed the upscaled urban “hip-hop” atmosphere and menu while watching the primary election returns on the big screen high definition televisions in the HipHopSodaShop. (more…)
It’s about time. Finally, a voice from the hip-hop community has stepped up to the mic. But this time it was not to spit some lyrics; rather, it was to pose questions directly to the presidential candidates from hip-hop’s perspective.
This past weekend, all of the Democratic presidential candidates gathered in America’s current campaign hotbed for The Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum at North High School in Des Moines. It was the sixth time for this forum, which has been growing in popularity and influence ever since it’s conception in 1984 – but it was the first time that any of the ’08 presidential candidates have been asked questions formally posed to them about the issues that directly affect the hip-hop community and those of us that are a part of it. (more…)
On Saturday, October 20 the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) is coming back to Miami with the timely message of financial literacy, bringing the Hip-Hop Summit on Financial Empowerment “Get Your Money Right” International Tour to the Sunshine State.
With the recent housing market crash affecting the economy, jobs, student loans and consumer confidence, young people need some sound financial advice on how to best manage their money and navigate through this volatile economic environment. (more…)
