Oh dear lord, she's arming the youth! None of us are safe! Empowered inner-city teens will be hurling cell phones and dropping science left and right!
(Actually, based on this guest list, we kind of want to attend -- but seriously, Professor Griff and Chuck D, but where's Flavor Flav?)
Full release after the jump.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Coz Carson, Communications Dir.
[redacted]
WHO: Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney
WHAT: The Fourth Annual Hip Hop Power Shop
WHEN: Saturday, June 10th, 2006 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
WHERE: Tupac Amaru Shakur Center, 5616 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30088
Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and the Hip Hop community are coming together to promote the awareness and empowerment of young people. We are "ARMING OUR YOUTH WITH WEAPONS OF MASS INSTRUCTION," teaching the young how to engage in the social-political system. Congresswoman McKinney believes that young people will be able to take their destiny into their own hands, and soar to heretofore-unseen levels of achievement. To that end, this year's H.H.P.S. will be the most informative and inspiring ever.
Confirmed participants joining Rep. McKinney in the fourth Annual Hip Hop Power Shop:
Bobby Brown; Professor Griff; Gotti, Public Enemy; Chuck D, Nappy
Roots -- Scales, DJ Jelly, Monica Benderman, wife of prisoner of conscience Sgt. Kevin Benderman; Ingemar Smith; Veterans for Peace; Denise Thomas, Military Families Speak Out; Rev. Markel Hutchins, community activist; Steven Waddy, Georgia Coalition for a People's Agenda; Rev. Lennox Yearwood; Baba Curtis; Minister Server and many more.
Nationally known DJ Greg Street from Atlanta's #1 radio station, V-103 will be the Master of ceremony.
This year's Hip Hop Power Shop will also feature participation from Mr. Tony Gray a nationally recognized radio consultant, programmer and station owner. His company: Gray Communications programs radio stations in New York, NY, Chicago, Il, Atlanta, GA and other major markets around the country.
The Hip Hop Power Shop will wrap up with a performance by Moodswing Productions recording artist: "JR".
The agenda will be as follows;
COUNTERING CULTURE: CHALLENGES AND SURVIVAL FOR YOUTH OF COLOR
Arming Our Youth With Weapons of Mass Instruction
What's coming at them:
Attack on cultural icons and leadership (Tupac and MLK)
Police repression
War on Black Youth
Dead end jobs
Cutting social support
Military recruitment and poverty draft
Options:
Go to war and kill -- veterans
Prisons
Real solutions:
Voter registration forms, get out the vote
Community based alternatives (have support groups table?)
Self-improvement (education, job training, talents and skills)
Building community
Empowerment and resistance
SCHEDULE
10:00 -- 10:10 AM
Welcome -- Rep. McKinney and Tupac Center staff
10:10 -- 11:00 AM
Katrina Tribunal and Mock Congress on Tupac Shakur Records Act
11:00 -- 11:10
Poetry, local artists
11:10PM -- 12:00PM
Panel 1: Countering Culture: Attacks on Political Musicians and Youth
12:00 -- 12:30
LUNCH and Poetry, local artists
12:30 -- 1:20 PM
Panel 2: Countering Recruitment: Realities of War and Military Service
1:20 -- 1:30 PM
Poetry, local poets/artists
1:30 -- 2:20 PM
Panel 3: Countering Culture: Hip Hop History and Speak Out
2:20 -- 3:50
"American Blackout" (film showing)
3:50 pm -- Closing remarks performance by Moodswing Productions recording artist "JR"
