[URBANTH-L]ANN: Hip Hop Congress

Angela Jancius acjancius at ysu.edu
Fri Jul 15 00:36:37 EDT 2005


Hip Hop Congress

July 14, 2005, Rock & Rap Confidential

http://www.hiphopcongress.com/chiconference/pressrelease.htm

100 members representing 27 chapters from all over the
country congregated in Chicago for the 4th Annual Hip Hop
Congress National Conference on June 23-26th. Hip Hop
Congress is an International Grassroots Network that
educates, empowers, and unites individuals. We preserve and
evolve Hip Hop by inspiring social action and cultural
creativity within the community. The conference provided
members an opportunity to layout a dynamic vision for the
future of the Hip Hop Congress.

During the weekend the Hip Hop Congress elected Shamako Noble
as the second President in the organization's history. Noble,
an emcee out of the bay Area, also works at the Riekes Center
for Human Enhancement in Menlo, California. The Riekes Center
is a nonprofit mentoring organization that utilizes a
multidisciplinary approach toward education. Given his
background in Hip Hop and education, Noble's launched the
national initiative to develop a Hip Hop and education
program. The conference drew educators from all over the
country, as well as representatives from the Hip Hop
Association, Teach For America, University of Hip Hop in
Chicago and the Universal Zulu Nation.

In a joint effort with other groups such as IMAN (Inner-city
Muslim Action Network), Southwest Youth Collaborators, Temple
of Hip Hop, Fly Paper and others, Hip Hop Congress took part
in a full day of free festivities. The event, titled, "Takin'
It To The Streets" included free performances by Jurassic 5,
Brother Ali, Chicago's own Capital D, and the legendary b-boy
squad, the Rock Steady Crew. The event also showcased local
emcees, deejays, breakers, and beat- boxers. Indianapolis
deejay da Metrognome held it down with local deejays
Roosevelt Treasurechest, Jaidot, E Dubble, deejay Xander and
Chicago breaking crew Chi- rock was also on hand. Along with
the music, the event featured guest speakers and comedians
demonstrating that large scale Hip Hop events can be a very
peaceful thing.

The 29 chapters of the Hip Hop Congress now go back to their
respective communities energized, organized, and
revolutionized until they reconvene in Boulder, CO for next
year's conference.

For more information on Hip Hop Congress check
www.hiphopcongress.com or email aaron.berkowitz at gmail.com
(314)809.2502




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