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…)
NYC governor Eliot Spitzer responded Wednesday to some very heated language used by hip hop mogul Russell Simmons to describe his stance on the Rockefeller drug laws. Speaking out on NY1’s “Inside City Hall” Tuesday, Simmons said Spitzer is failing to live up to promises to reform the state’s strict drug laws.
“I’m very disappointed in the governor. I should say that the hip hop is getting ready to get in his ass,” Russell Simmons said on Tuesday night’s “Inside City Hall.” (more…)
Russell Simmons has been pushing young people to vote, but for a while there, it was looking as if the music industry heavyweight would have trouble casting his own ballot. Not anymore.
The hip-hop mogul said Sunday he is endorsing Barack Obama for president, inspired by the diversity among the Illinois senator’s supporters. Obama has built an unprecedented national movement of people from all ethnic, racial, political, social and economic backgrounds, Simmons said in a news release. (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…)
Russell Simmons is starting his own fashion line for the sophisticated urban man. “Argyle Culture” and “Atman” are designed for the hip-hop generation now grown up; fashionable in a classic way yet still seeking that bit of urban flare.
The argyle pattern itself has been associated with country club prep and the Ivy League yet this iconic cuspidate pattern and sophisticated fabrics such as herringbone and houndstooth have been incorporated into Argyle Culture’s premier collection, subtly enhanced with Simmons iconoclastic urban aesthetic. Atman is an even higher end men’s boutique line. (more…)
Russell Simmons is hanging with an arty crowd lately. The hip-hop mogul, down here Basel-ing, hosted a dinner at The Delano Thursday for his Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, which he cofounded with brothers Danny, a painter, and Joseph, of iconic rap band Run-DMC.
Its goal: to help artists and young people who face adversity. The brothers will host a big fundraiser in Miami Beach April 5. (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…)
