Hip-Hop Submit

HSAN seeks to foster initiatives aimed at engaging the Hip-Hop generation in community development issues related to equal access to high quality public education and literacy, freedom of speech, voter education, economic advancement, and youth leadership development. It was established as means to fulfill the commitments made after the first National Hip-Hop Summit, themed “Taking Back Responsibility”, held in June 2001 in New York City. Since that time, HSAN has been on the forefront of initiatives that have tested and affirmed its efforts are timely and effective. HSAN’s programmatic accomplishments include: - Sponsored more than 40 successful Hip-Hop Summits in New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Philadelphia, Seattle, Birmingham and Dallas, providing a national template for engaging the Hip-Hop generation in community-building dialogues; - On august 14, 2003 the Philadelphia Hip-Hop Summit registered over 11,000 voters, the largest number of young new voters registered ever at a single hip-hop event in the united states; - HSAN’s Hip-Hop Team Vote along with the WWE’s SMACKDOWN YOUR VOTE recently announced their Voter Registration campaign of “Two Million More in 2004”, with the objective of registering two million more 18–30 year-olds in the 2004 Presidential Election; - On April 26, 2003 The Detroit Hip-hop Summit mobilized over 17,000 youth participants at the Cobo Arena to commit to ongoing youth leadership development utilizing hip-Hop; - Fostered the establishment of grass roots Hip-Hop Summit Youth Councils in Queens, NY, Seattle, Baltimore, Kansas City, and Dallas. The Youth Councils engage youth in leadership development activities at a local level; - Partnered with several other national organizations to effectively pursue shared programmatic interests, including: The NAACP, National Urban League, Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Rap the Vote on voter education and registration; - Joined with The Alliance for Quality Education, mobilizing 100,000 New York City public school students and top Hip-Hop recording artists to a protest rally at City Hall which resulted in Mayor Bloomberg restoring $300 million in proposed cuts to the New York City public school budget. The National Federation of Teachers also partnered in this rally and, in part through the advocacy of the Hip-Hop community, they were able to finally negotiate a fair compensation contract for New York City public school teachers. - Recently organized a public awareness campaign on the unfairness of the Rockefeller Drug Laws in New York culminating in a public rally of over 60,000. - Worked in alliance with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in support of the Parental Advisory Label Program that alerts parents to explicit content in music. - Defended Hip-Hop culture before members of the U.S. Congress and before federal regulatory agencies, eg. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission Source: http://www.hsan.org

African Liberation Day 09

Washington, DC May 22-24 @ The Carlos Rosario Charter School NW
The All African People's Development & Empowerment Project (AAPDEP) is calling on African students, scientists, engineers, electricians, health care professionals and other skilled Africans with expertise in health, nutrition, water purification, waste-water treatment, well-building, renewable energy technology, ecological sanitation, agriculture, construction, fundraising, web design, graphic arts, and other related areas to participate in the historic African Liberation Day (ALD) Conference in Washington D.C. on May 22-24.

Many of you have expressed interest in the work of AAPDEP, and the African Liberation Day Conference is the perfect place to get on board. Along with many powerful speakers from Europe, Africa, and North and South America, Dr. Aisha Fields will be making a dynamic presentation on the work of AAPDEP and how you can put your skills to use, right now, in the interests of our future as one people, so we can finally celebrate the liberation of African people!

This year's conference will function as the 1st Annual Conference of the North American Region of the African Socialist International(ASI), which is the international body through which AAPDEP's work is guided. The ASI is the vision of the African Peoples Socialist Party and culmination of a lifetime commitment made by Chairman Omali Yeshitela. This conference represents a historic leap forward for African people. An attempt of this magnitude to organize African people into ONE single body moving in unity, has not been attempted since the work of Marcus Garvey. The work of the ALD/ASI is to complete the visionary work of Marcus Garvey and other giants in our movement to be a free, independent and self-governing people.

The 2009 African Liberation Day is a must-not-miss! This event will prove to be one we will look back on as the pivotal point in our struggle to free Africa and African people worldwide! Also, don't miss the Chairman of the African Peoples Socialist Party, Omali Yeshitela, our generation's leader of the International African Revolution.

Be a Maker of History, Register Today!
Come to Washington D.C. and find your place in AAPDEP and the overall Movement for African self-reliance and self-determination!
Click here to Register Now!UHURU!

Dr. Aisha FieldsAAPDEP Director

Our President needs our help!!!

Our President needs our help. His 100 day mark is approaching
fast.


Colleagues and Friends,
Take a look. Please vote if you are so inclined.

MSNBC has a poll up about the President's job so far for the first 100
days. Republicans are flooding it with "F" votes. The F was leading by a
19% margin last i checked. . . . . Pass this address on and go to it to
vote: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29493093/

GM names first black female director

Crystal Windham, 35, a lead designer of the award-winning Chevrolet Malibu, will oversee interior design of GM's global midsize, compact and small cars.

During her 14-year GM career, Windham has worked on assignments across several brand studios, including Adam Opel, the automaker's German subsidiary, from 1997-1998. Four years later, she was named design manager of interiors and worked on vehicles including the 2008 Malibu and 2007 Saturn Aura, and later managed design of advanced exteriors for full-size trucks.

The promotion is significant considering the auto industry has been slow to promote women and minorities to top jobs, said Marcela Fink, executive vice president of the Women's Automotive Association International, a Detroit-based nonprofit group.

"That's just fantastic. We're finally starting to catch up," Fink said Thursday. "It says a lot for our industry, to be able to make it in this industry, it's hard for women."

Windham is another high-profile minority appointment at GM. In 2003, Ed Welburn became the automaker's first African American design leader.

"As an interior designer, I create solutions and appealing spaces for customers," Windham said in a statement. "As a leader it's my job to foster creativity and ensure that creativity is represented in the final product. Our design vision, intent and integrity led us to create the best interiors in GM's history."

The promotion comes 18 months after Windham was named design manager of exteriors.

She has a bachelor's degree in industrial design from the College for Creative Studies and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Detroit-Mercy.

"A mentor guided me toward automotive design. Without guidance and support from family and co-workers, I wouldn't be where I am today," she said. "I truly love my job -- it's creative, expressive -- but it is not easy. Enjoying what you do, however, makes it all worthwhile. I hope other young women will look to what I have done and be inspired to consider automotive design."

You can reach Robert Snell at (313) 222-2028 or rsnell@detnews.com.

Source: Todaysdrum.com
Original Source: http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081114/AUTO01/811140355

Black History Video Stories

These videos are a tribute to The Great African Ancestor's whose hardships and achievements so often go unnoticed. So often we give thanks, but rarely are our ancestors the recipients of our praise. The survivors of a 3,000 mile journey under the most adverse and inhumane conditions. The survivors whose dignity was taken, whose dreams were shattered, and whose true contributions to our society continue to be buried in America's memory hole.

These video productions show the truth and heroism of our African and African-American Ancestors. Each time you view the videos you will come away knowing more than you knew before, and with knowledge comes wisdom, the wisdom of self.

What makes the Richard Allen Story so important and unique is in being re-educated

About the African and African-American Historical Experience. Richard Allen was only {1] one generation removed from Africa and because of this he was capable of accomplishing all that is brought out in the Richard Allen Story Video and so much more. When we look at the strong spiritual and moral force that was amongst African-Americans during Richard Allen and his collegues era, then we look at ourselves now and we ask the question what happened to us?

Maybe it was because Richard Allen was only {1} one step removed from the strong spiritual moral force that was alive in his ancestral homeland West Africa. We are ten or more generations removed from the truth of knowing our glorious West African, ancestry, and the grandeur of their global contributions. The further removed from the truth about our illustrious ancestors contrary to how the mass communication media negatively depicts us continuously. We cannot continue to wait for those who benefit most from our lack of self awareness to re-educate us about our true history.

What could be a better gift to pass on to our youth, than the truth and knowledge of who they really are in order to begin the healing process of making our lost nation whole again.



Carvel Watson



Producer/Director

http://blackhistoryvideostories.com/

Men To Boys

Urban Leadership Institute (ULI) and IYAGO Entertainment present the “Men II Boys Film and Lecture Tour”, a distinguished lecture series featuring LaMarr Darnell Shields, noted professor and author of the inspirational book “101 Things Every Boy/Young Man of Color Should Know” and Janks Morton an award winning documentarian and producer of the critically acclaimed “What Black Men Think”.

The “Men II Boys Film and Lecture Tour” is a series of community discussions on Black Male Development encouraging dialogue, strategies and solutions relating to the challenges of boys and young men of color. The event consists of a screening of “Men II Boys”, discussion, readings and book signings.

LaMarr Darnell Shields wrote ‘101 Things Every Boy/Young Man of Color Should Know’ to address the issues, problems and concerns of boys and young men of color seek advice on. This page turning Resource will inspire every boy of color to do their best.

In his award winning film “What Black Men Think”, Janks Morton opened new doors for open and honest dialogue amongst Black Men and Women. By shattering myths, stereotypes and misperceptions about Black Male Identity, the film attracted national and international media recognition by refuting the oft-quoted myth of more black men being incarcerated than in colleges and universities. Morton is Confident that he will continue the series of urgent and necessary dialogue through Men II Boys. “I Believe that too often the more challenging and less desirable behaviors we observe in young men of color are a direct result of the non-interaction between fathers and sons,” says Morton.

“Men II Boys” is 42 minute documentary featuring Congressman Elijah E. Cummings; NFL Player Daniel Wilcox (Baltimore Ravens); Freeman A. Hrabowski III, President of University of Maryland Baltimore County; and TV Personality & Activist Jeff Johnson (BET) capturing men from all walks of life, delivering words of wisdom or jewels, as a resource for boys and young men of color as they ascend to manhood.

While “101 Things Every Boy/Young Man of Color Should Know” provides the page turning resource needed today, “Men II Boys” concurrently brings these pages to life to communicate critical information on film.

Source: http://mentoboys.com

Next Screening

May 1st, 2009

8:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Dillard University

New Orleans, LA

Hosted By: COSEBOC

Don H. Barden, First African American to Wholly Own a National Casino Company, to Keynote AACC Gala

With $372 million in revenues, his Barden Companies is one of the nation's
largest African-American businesses

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The African-American Chamber of
Commerce of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware (AACC) today announced that
Don H. Barden, the owner of Fitzgerald Casino Hotels in Las Vegas, Mississippi
and Colorado, will be the keynote speaker at the African-American Chamber of
Commerce's 2006 Annual Gala, Saturday, March 4, 2006, at the Wyndham Franklin
Plaza, here.
In acquiring Fitzgerald's in December 2001, Barden became the first
African American to wholly own a national casino company.  He previously
opened, in 1996, The Majestic Star Riverboat Casino in Gary, Indiana, with 932
slot machines and 50 table games.  In so doing, Mr. Barden became the only
African American in the United States to own a casino.
Recognized as one of the top black entrepreneurs in the country, Barden
has guided Barden Companies, Inc., where he serves as chairman and CEO, to
$372 million in annual revenues, making the company one of the largest African
American-owned businesses in the country.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Mr. Barden's business career spans a 30-year
period, during which he founded a successful real estate development company,
owned and operated a cable television system in Michigan, and owned and
operated five radio stations in Illinois.  He is also active in the global
business arena, having established Barden International, Inc., in Namibia,
Africa, in February 1996.  The company, which is engaged in the automotive
processing and distribution business, constitutes one of the largest private
investments in southern Africa.
"Given the gaming industry's imminent arrival in the Greater Philadelphia
area, we're especially pleased to have Don Barden as our keynote speaker,"
said AACC Executive Director John Childress. "His extensive experience in the
gaming industry and his ability to speak about that industry from an ownership
perspective and from an African-American perspective make his appearance here
especially timely.  Without question Mr. Barden represents the very highest
level of entrepreneurial success in the national African-American community.
There is a great deal that he should be able to share with all of us on March
4th."
In addition to Mr. Barden's keynote remarks, the African-American Chamber
of Commerce will also present its annual business excellence awards during the
Gala Program.  They will include:

- Lifetime Achievement Award - Charles Bowser, Esq.
- Community Service - African-American Freedom and Reconstruction League
- Procurement - ACE Insurance
- Excellence in Media - Athena D. Merritt, Philadelphia Business Journal
- Construction - W & W Contractors
- Legacy - James Brown, Alpha Office Supplies

Additional awards in the categories of corporate procurement and youth
entrepreneurship will be announced prior to the date of the Gala.
Serving as mistress of ceremonies for the Gala will be Tamala Edwards,
news anchor, WPVI TV, the ABC TV affiliate, here.

Founded as the African-American Chamber of Commerce of Philadelphia in
1994, the African-American Chamber of Commerce of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and
Delaware is the leading private sector advocate for black-owned businesses and
African-American economic development in the tri-state area.  Headquartered at
1735 Market Street in Center City Philadelphia, the Chamber represents the
interests of such businesses in both public and private sector forums.  The
organization also offers management and technical assistance programs to
improve the effectiveness of black-owned businesses in the region.  According
to the Census Bureau, there are 16,010 African American-owned businesses in
southeast Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and northern Delaware.

Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/01-30-2006/0004270548&EDATE=

SOURCE African-American Chamber of Commerce

Little Known HBCU Facts

HBCU Facts

HBCUs enroll upwards of 370,000 students and graduate a significant share of all African Americans receiving degrees. While comprising only three percent of the nation's 3,688 institutions of higher learning, the 105 HBCUs are responsible for producing approximately 23 percent of all bachelor's degrees, 13 percent of all master's degrees, and 20 percent of all first professional degrees earned by African Americans annually. Black colleges and universities contribute to the continuing rise of black intellectuals, professionals, and creative artists which is so evident throughout American society.

The following facts demonstrate the many successes of HBCUs:

Nine of the top ten colleges that graduate most of the African American students who go on to earn Ph.D.s are HBCUs.


More than 50 percent of the nation's African American public school teachers and 70 percent of African American dentists and physicians earned degrees at HBCUs.


Over half of all African American professionals are graduates of HBCUs


In 2000, Xavier University in New Orleans individually produced more successful African American medical school applicants (94) than Johns Hopkins (20), Harvard (37), and the University of Maryland (24) combined. Two other HBCUs also placed in the top ten producers of medical school applicants, including Morehouse (33), and Spelman (38).


Spelman and Bennett Colleges produce over half of the nation's African American women who go on to earn doctorates in all science fields; more than produced by the Ivy League's Seven Sisters combined (Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Mount Holyoke, Radcliffe, Smith, Wellesley, and Vassar Colleges).


HBCUs significantly contribute to the creation of African American science degree holders: agriculture (51.6 percent), biology (42.2 percent), computer science (35 percent), physical science (43 percent), and social science (23.2 percent).


HBCUs produce 44 percent of all African American bachelor's degrees awarded for communications technology, 33 percent of bachelor's degrees awarded for engineering technology, and 43 percent of bachelor's degrees awarded for mathematics, and


HBCUs produce 40 percent of all African American doctorate degrees awarded for Communications.





The following HBCU facts and information was posted on the UNCF website

HBCU graduates are experts in their chosen field.

Over half of all African American professionals are graduates of HBCUs.

Nine of the top ten colleges that graduate the most African Americans who go on to earn Ph.D.s are HBCU graduates.

More than 50% of the nation’s African American public school teachers and 70% of African American dentists earned degrees at HBCUs.

UNCF members Spelman College and Bennett College produce over half of the nation’s African American female doctorates in all science fields.

Excellent Institutions

As ranked by Black Enterprise in 2003, seven of the top ten “ Top Colleges and Universities for African Americans,” including the top six, were HBCUs.

HBCU Xavier University is #1 nationally in placing African-Americans into medical school.

The first Time Magazine/ Princeton Review College of the Year, Florida A&M University , is an HBCU. It is the #1 producer of African Americans with baccalaureate degrees.

Tuskeegee University is the only college ever to be designated a national historic site by the U.S. Congress.

The June 3, 2004 issue of Black Issues in Higher Education shows how HBCUs dominate the upper echelon in terms of numbers of African American graduates per school for the 2002-2003 academic year. The article also reported the following facts

Seven of the top eight producers of African-American baccalaureates overall were HBCUs, including #1 Florida A&M University and #2 Howard University .

Eight of the top eleven producers of African American baccalaureates in agriculture, agriculture operations and related sciences were HBCUs, including #1 Tennessee State University and #3 Tuskegee University .

Sixteen of the top 21 producers of African American baccalaureates in biological and biomedical sciences were HBCUs, including the entire top six (Xavier University of LA (#1), Hampton University (#2), Howard University (#3), Morgan State University (#4), Jackson State University (#5) and Tennessee State University (#6).

Six of the top ten producers of African American baccalaureates in education were HBCUs, including #1 Alabama State University .

Seven of the top eleven producers of African American baccalaureates in engineering were HBCUs, including #1 North Carolina A&T State University .

The top three producers of African American baccalaureates in health professions (#1 Southern University and A&M College , #2 Florida A&M University and #3 Howard University ) were HBCUs.

Eight of the top nine producers of African American baccalaureates in mathematics and statistics were HBCUs: #1 Morehouse College, #2 South Carolina State University #3 Alabama State University, #3 Spelman College, #5Southern University and A&M College, #6 Tennessee State Unversity, #7 Hampton University and #9 Howard University.

The twelve top producers of African American baccalaureates in the physical sciences, including #1 Xavier University of Louisiana , were all HBCUs.

Three of the top five producers of African American baccalaureates in psychology were HBCUs: #1 Florida A&M University , #3 Hampton University and #5 Howard University .

Remarkable Accomplishments

Grambling University Coach Eddie Robinson was named the college football coach with the most wins.

Almost half of the members of the Congressional Black Caucus attended an HBCU.

Source: http://thinkhbcu.org/hbcu_facts.htm

Twelve-year-old entrepreneur among winners at the second annual Yorkshire Black Enterprise Convention

28 October 2008
By Nigel Scott

BUDDING Yorkshire entrepreneur Akili Ta Seti, who is just 12-years-old, was among the winners honoured at the 2008 Yorkshire Black Enterprise Convention (YBEC) in Leeds.
Akili won The Future of Enterprise Award at the event which aims to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of successful entrepreneurs from the African and Caribbean communities across Yorkshire and the Humber.

The convention, which is supported by Business Link Yorkshire and Yorkshire Forward, was held at Leeds United Conference Centre and the keynote speaker was Olympic medalist, Kriss Akabusi.

Akili, from Bradford, impressed the judges with her business acumen.
Alongside her school work, she finds time to run Wisdom Enterprises which provides computer skills to people of all ages, including free introductory sessions for elderly people.

The company also offers a range of printing services as well as web and graphic design.

Rad Miller, who works for Leeds-based Pocket Projects, a creative youth media production company, took the Creative Business Award.

Pocket provides video, music and audio educational workshops and one off film/dvd/music and audio commissions for the youth sector.

Business Personality of the Year was Johnny Flowers, who arrived in England in 1961. Since then, he has worked voluntarily to improve the welfare of the Caribbean community in Yorkshire.

In 1976 he founded Ashbrow Garage, in Huddersfield, and, over the past 30 years, the business has flourished.

Female Entrepreneur of the Year was Marcia Hutchinson who runs Huddersfield-based Primary Colours, a publishing and learning development company dedicated to creating a better world for children.

Restaurant

Male Entrepreneur of the Year was Barrington Douglas who runs Discovery Bay, an award winning Huddersfield Caribbean restaurant and outside catering service.

Byron Francis from the Manningham Mills Sports and Community Association won the Enterprise in the Community Award in recognition of his work for the registered charity which encourages and supports education, sports health and social activities.

Rowland Egege and Bobby Singh, from Pro Active Sports (UK), took the judges award for Young Entrepreneur. Their Bradford-based organisation aims to reduce health inequalities by offering sports sessions that fit around school times.

Spokesman for the judging panel, Andy Kemp, said: "This year's entries graphically demonstrate the impressive rise of the region's black entrepreneurs and that black businesses no longer exist in just a few niche markets.

"The black business community is playing an increasingly important role in providing jobs and contributing to the local economy."

Source: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/business-news/Twelveyearold-entrepreneur-among-winners-at.4634693.jp

T.I.'s Road to Redemption - MTV Show

T.I.'s Road to Redemption

As he begins counting down the days to his impending March 2009 sentencing for weapons charges, Grammy-winning superstar T.I. finds himself at a remarkable crossroads. At the very apex of his career, he's facing up to 30 years of jail time for an arrest stemming from his earlier life. However, as part of a deal worked out between his lawyers and the federal government, if he completes an amazing 1000 hours of community service during the year ending this March, that sentence may be reduced. At 27, finding himself at the very high- and low-point of his adult life, he's seeking redemption in helping others avoid the mistakes he made. In the new docu-series T.I.'s Road To Redemption: 45 Days To Go cameras follow T.I.'s efforts to save himself by saving others. In order to communicate his message, he has to give each teenager a tough love lesson in life and show them the consequences of what could happen if they continue down the wrong path.

T.I.'s Road To Redemption: 45 Days To Go will not only show T.I. as he attempts to help change the lives of desperate teenagers across the country, but will also show a behind-the-scenes peek at the most private and personal moments of one of today's hottest most sought after artists on the verge of leaving his glittering career for time behind bars.

The series will follow T.I. as he talks to schools and community groups about how to avoid the trouble he now finds himself in, but it will also follow a search for personal redemption. T.I.'s Road To Redemption: 45 Days To Go chronicles the rap icon's dedicated mission to educate today's youth on the issues of his past that have come back to haunt him today. Along the way, we will see the birth of his sixth child, the release of his most ambitious, reflective, and mature work yet, "Paper Trail," his long and serious journey to transform the lives of a group of at risk teens, his ongoing struggle to manage his personal life while completing 1000 hours of community service and most importantly, coming to terms with going to jail at the height of his career.