National
Hip-Hop Political Convention to Train Next Generation of Activists
Event Will Unite, Empower, Train and Celebrate Tomorrow's Leaders in Chicago, July 20-23
Chicago,
IL
(BlackNews.com) - Over the last several years many noted and
respected civil rights and social justice activists have passed
away. As their peers, and the world, mourn their loss, many
wonder who tomorrow's leaders will be. Recognizing the pressing
need for young people to step up and become active participants
in the world around them, the second National Hip-Hop Political
Convention (NHHPC) is set to train the next generation of
community leaders. The bi-annual Convention will be held July
20-23 at Northeastern Illinois' Jacob Carruther's Center for
Inner City Studies at 700 East Oakwood Blvd. in Chicago's
historic Bronzeville neighborhood.
"Hip
Hop, as a community and a culture, has reached an age of maturity,"
states Crawford. "It is our duty to assume the mantle of leadership.
Whether at home, on the block or in the boardroom, our generation
must set a course that will lead towards long term health
and sustainability for the communities in which we live."
The
Convention plans to provide attendees with sophisticated
community-organizing training and issue-based workshops.
Panelists and trainers include Davey D, a noted hip-hop
journalist; Zack Exely, former Director of Online Communications
and Online Organizing for democratic presidential candidate
John Kerry; Bakari Kitwana, author of The Hip Hop Generation:
Young Blacks and the Crisis in African-American Culture;
Fred Hampton, Jr, son of slain Black Panther leader Fred
Hampton, Sr. and chairman of Prisoners of Conscience Committee;
Leila Steinberg, producer of Tupac documentary, Thug
Angel: The Life of an Outlaw; Malia Lazu, National
Field Director for Cities for Progress; Ryan Ford, Source
magazine's executive editor; and Khari Mosley, regional
director for the League of Young Voters.
The theme of the 2006 Convention is Money. Power.
Respect. Convention programming is designed to educate
members of the Hip Hop generation how to earn, demand
and work for all three. This year's event builds on
the success of the first-ever National Hip Hop Political
Convention, which was held in 2004. Over 6000 members
of the Hip Hop generation converged in Newark, NJ to
address the most-pressing issues facing the generation.
Many of the event's organizers are now considered among
the nation's most successful urban activists and have
actively participated in numerous issue-based and electoral
campaigns.
While this year's Convention is focused on training
leaders, there will be plenty of entertainment: Hip
Hop legends X-Clan and Poor Righteous Teachers, along
with many of the nation's strongest, most positive independent
artists are slated to perform.
"Having
fun is one part of the Hip Hop culture, the dominant
themes that exist within the culture and the music are
a commitment to truth and overcoming whatever obstacles
that might stand in our way," says Crawford. "Just as
in times past, when a peer group reaches a particular
age, there is a certain Rite of Passage, a time where
they move into the role of provider, care giver and
protector of the community. For members of the culture
and the generation, our time is now. We plan to hold
ourselves accountable and we'll do so in a way that
honors our past, yet is distinctly a style all our own."
For more information about the NHHPC and the 2006 Convention,
including registration and lodging information, please
visit www.2006hiphopconvention.com.
The National Hip Hop Political Convention is a product
of the National Black United Fund.
An official 2006 NHHPC press conference will take place
12 noon on Friday, July 21, 2006 at the Jacob Carruthers
Center for Inner-City Studies of Northeastern Illinois
University, located 700 East Oakwood Blvd. Media Credentials
are requested.
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