With the overwhelming momentum building across Pennsylvania, where young people are making their voices heard in record numbers around youth voter registration, The Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund (HREF), PowerPAC and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) will embrace and salute them in anticipation of the largest youth voter turnout on at the Pennsylvania presidential primary on April 22nd.
On April 20, 2008 at Temple University’s Liacouras Center Arena, located at 1776 N. Broad Street in Philadelphia, PA, a massive national “Hip-Hop Team Vote: Turn Up The Vote” mobilization will be held bringing together hip-hop stars, youth leaders and young people to address the quality of life issues that have resonated with young people across the state and throughout America. Hip-hop stars and youth leaders thus far confirmed to participate include: Russell Simmons; Dr. Benjamin Chavis; platinum R&B/pop star Ciara; platinum hip-hop star, Mike Jones; Flo-Rida; Jim Jones; Rich Boy; Styles P; Chrisette Michelle; Lyfe Jennings, Webbie; Lil X; Green Lantern, Gorilla Zoe, BET’s “106 & Park” star hosts Rocsi and Terrence J; Lil Boosie; Latino hip- hop/reggaeton stars Alexis y Fido; O’Neal McKnight; Emily King and NAACP National Director, Youth and College Division, Stefanie Brown.
On this rare occasion, competing radio stations, Clear Channel’s Power 99 and Radio One’s 100.3 THE BEAT, have come together for this historic mobilization, under a common cause, to get young people out to the polls on April 22nd.
Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President/CEO of the Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund, Steve Phillips, Founder and Chairman of PowerPAC, Valeisha Butterfield, Executive Director of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, the NAACP, the United States Students Association and Rosario Dawson’s Voto Latino, have joined together to issue a call to millions of 18-35 year olds to participate in the campaign. “Hip-Hop Team Vote: Turn Up The Vote” will utilize a variety of means to reach its target demographic and maximize youth voter registration and voter turnout, including hip-hop radio stations, artists, recording industry street teams, web and pod casts, social networks, blogs and grass roots organizing.
Dr. Benjamin Chavis emphasized, “An unprecedented groundswell of young people continues to grow across the state of Pennsylvania in anticipation of the April 22 Presidential primary election. The diversity and power of the hip-hop generation will manifest at the Turn Up the Vote National Hip-Hop Summit at Temple University. PA is fired up and the enthusiasm is growing daily.”
The 18-29 year old segment of the hip-hop generation will be nearly 50 million strong in 2008, making up one third of the electorate. Civicyouth.org reported that between the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections, youth voter turnout more than doubled.
“I’m really proud of my generation for rising to this momentous occasion,” declared Valeisha Butterfield. ” It is clear that young people want change and the best way to bring about change is to vote in record numbers. The Pennsylvania primary will be a milestone for youth voter turn-out.”
Added 22 year old Philadelphia native, Lauren Goodwin, “As a 22 year old, recent college graduate, I recognize that my home state of Pennsylvania has an opportunity to make a tremendous impact on this nation. Although I have been involved in the political process in the past, this is the first election that I have felt truly engaged and connected to the issues. More is at stake than ever before because of the current war in Iraq, disproportionate funding for public education and the economic future of the United States. Pennsylvania, stand up and join me and the millions of other young adults by registering to vote and making our voices heard on April 22!”
“We’re about expanding democracy through support of communities that have been marginalized and underrepresented in the decision-making process,” offers Steve Phillips, founder and chairman of PowerPAC. “Our goal is to build a new base of political activism. This work is not about electing any particular candidate; it is about bringing people into the process.”
“I commend Russell Simmons on his ongoing efforts to energize the youth of this country to exercise their right to vote,” said Michael Steele, Chairman of GOPAC and former Lt. Governor of Maryland. “I am honored to be a part of energizing this exciting base of new voters. This generation of young Americans can transform the political landscape, regardless of party affiliation, simply by taking their seat at the table and making their voices heard through their vote. To these young and new voters, don’t believe the hype: your vote counts!”
The community partners Hip-Hop Summit Action Network’s Hip-Hop Team Vote, Declare Yourself, Rock the Vote, NAACP, United States Student Association and Voto Latino.
Before publicly endorsing Senator Barack Obama recently, Russell Simmons chose to take a leave of absence as Chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network until after the 2008 presidential election, to protect the integrity of the organization. However, he remains an active participant in HSAN events.
About Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund
Founded in 2001, the Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund (HREF) is one of the premier research and public education organizations, dedicated to raising public awareness about social, cultural, political and economic issues important to the hip-hop generation in America and throughout the world. HREF is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501C3 organization, based in New York City.
About PowerPAC
PowerPAC is a nonprofit advocacy and political organization. It was organized to champion democracy and social justice in states and communities across the country. PowerPAC directs financial and human resources to strategic local and state legislative fights, ballot initiatives, and candidate campaigns by organizing donors who are committed to social justice politics. The organization identifies priority areas for investment and helps donors achieve maximum political impact with their political giving. This process includes conducting research and analysis on the political landscape, identifying critical social justice issues and rising star candidates to bring more voters -
particularly voters of color – into the political process. PowerPAC believes that the most effective way to build political power for historically underrepresented constituencies is to invest in long-term political and for structure that can be mobilized for short-term victories.
About Hip-Hop Summit Action Network
Founded in 2001, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network is dedicated to harnessing the cultural relevance of hip-hop music to serve as a catalyst for education advocacy and other societal concerns fundamental to the well being of at-risk youth throughout the United States. HSAN is the largest non-profit, worldwide coalition of hip-hop artists, entertainment industry leaders, education advocates, civil rights proponents, and youth leaders united in the belief that Hip-Hop is an enormously influential agent for positive social change which must be responsibly and proactively utilized to fight the war on poverty and injustice.
