Month: October 2017

Washington, D.C. – October 28, 2017 – Rev.  Lennox Yearwood Jr., President & CEO of Hip Hop Caucus, today released the statement below about the “Sandy5” march calling for leaders to take action on climate change and accelerate a just transition to clean energy. 

“We march to remember victims of Superstorm Sandy and say never again. We demand that our leaders act now to address the increasing impacts of climate change and help our communities move from surviving to thriving. Without cutting the carbon pollution fueling climate change, we are going to see stronger storms, like Sandy, Harvey, Irma, and Maria. We need to stop supporting the fossil fuel industry and stand up to the leaders at the federal, state, and local levels that value profit over people. Solutions to climate change exist and we can no longer wait to act – the time is now to protect our communities and the planet for future generations.”

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Landmark bill enhances public health and participation in our democracy, while empowering our most vulnerable communities facing hardships

Washington, D.C. – Mustafa Santiago Ali, Senior Vice President for Climate, Environmental Justice, & Community Revitalization at Hip Hop Caucus, released the statement below about The Environmental Justice Act of 2017, introduced yesterday by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA). The bill protects against potential executive actions to rollback basic public health protections and public input in decision-making, requires federal agencies to address environmental justice through agency actions and permitting decisions, and strengthens legal protections against environmental injustice for communities of color, low-income communities, and indigenous communities.

“We applaud Senator Booker and Congressman Ruiz for introducing the Environmental Justice Act of 2017 and call for its passage. This is a vital piece of legislation introduced at a time when our most vulnerable communities are under extreme hardships due to the reckless decisions of the current Administration, impacts we are seeing right now from climate change, ongoing disproportionate impacts from air and water pollution, and improper use and disposal of toxic chemicals by industry.”

“The common sense proposals outlined in this bill come from over 25 years of stakeholder engagement and bipartisan input. The bill provides basic protections, legal resources, and tools to empower local communities so that they can take their communities from surviving to thriving.”

“By strengthening our most vulnerable communities, we strengthen America.”

More information about the bill can be found here.

Mustafa Santiago Ali, SVP at Hip Hop Caucus, announcing the bill with Senator Booker and Rep Ruiz – October 24, 2017

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About Hip Hop Caucus: Formed in 2004, Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that connects the Hip Hop community to the civic process to build power and create positive change. Through a collaborative leadership network and support of community-driven solutions, HHC focuses on addressing core issues impacting underserved and vulnerable communities. HHC hopes to establish the culture and practice of voting as part of a desired civic lifestyle, as well as empower and train leaders and volunteers from our communities to be strategic leaders, messengers, and spokespeople for issues critical to equality, justice, and opportunity. Learn more at HipHopCaucus.org. Follow HHC online @HipHopCaucus on all social media platforms.

About Mustafa Santiago Ali: Mustafa Santiago Ali joined Hip Hop Caucus after working 24 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where he most recently served as Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice and Community Revitalization. Mr. Ali specializes in social and environmental justice issues and is focused on a utilizing a holistic approach to revitalizing vulnerable communities. As a renowned speaker, policy maker, community liaison, trainer, and facilitator, he has worked with over 500 domestic and international communities to improve people’s lives by addressing environmental, health, and economic justice issues.

Hip Hop Caucus’ non-partisan initiative reaches young voters and voters of color with Virginia cultural influencers issuing a calls to action to register to  vote by October 16th deadline

Washington D.C. – Respect My Vote! kicked off a final push to make sure people across the Commonwealth are registered to vote ahead of the November 7th elections. The campaign is promoting young Virginia media, artist, activist and social media influencers as spokespeople.

Last Friday marked the 100th birthday of the civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer and the campaign joined the civil rights community to call for people to honor her by registering to vote. Rev Yearwood, Hip Hop Caucus President & CEO, wrote an op-ed in RVA Magazine connecting her spirit to the importance of voting in the upcoming Virginia elections. This year’s Virginia campaign is being lead by No Malice, formerly of the acclaimed rap duo The Clipse and Virginia Beach native. The deadline to register in Virginia is October 16th, and people can do so by visiting RespectMyVote.com.

For more information and to stay updated, check out:

• Read Rev Yearwood’s new op-ed in RVA Magazine
• New Website
• Register to Vote (October 16 deadline in Virginia)
• Sign-up for Updates
• Follow @HipHopCaucus on social media

Respect My Vote! was first launched in 2008 and has since engaged millions of people during election cycles throughout the United States. Through partnerships with nonprofits, businesses, media and entertainment companies, and celebrity spokespeople, the campaign focuses on voter registration, voter education, get-out-the-vote, and voter rights. Spokespeople have included Vic Mensa, T.I., Charlamagne tha God, Keke Palmer, 2 Chainz, Amber Rose, Future, and hundreds of other artists and community leaders. Respect My Vote! is a non-partisan, voter registration, education, and mobilization campaign of the Hip Hop Caucus

Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that connects the Hip Hop community to the civic process to build power and create positive change. Through a collaborative leadership network and support of community-driven solutions, HHC focuses on addressing core issues affecting underserved and vulnerable communities. HHC hopes to establish the culture and practice of voting as part of a desired civic lifestyle, as well as empower and train leaders and volunteers from our communities to be strategic leaders, messengers, and spokespeople for issues critical to equality, justice, and opportunity. More at HipHopCaucus.org.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Antoniewicz, mark@w0c.71c.mwp.accessdomain.com, 202-506-5882

Washington, D.C. – Mustafa Santiago Ali, Senior Vice President for Climate, Environmental Justice, & Community Revitalization at Hip Hop Caucus, released the statement below about EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s anticipated move to repeal the Clean Power Plan.

“This backwards move is another clear indication that fossil fuel industry corporations have taken control of the Environmental Protection Agency. It simply does not make sense for our pocketbooks and health. Unfortunately our most vulnerable communities will face the brunt of this irresponsible decision, including disproportionate health impacts, while rich corporations that have control over the EPA will reap the profits.”

“The Trump Administration is failing on its obligation to protect the planet for future generations by ignoring what science is telling us. Without cutting the carbon pollution fueling climate change, we are only going to see stronger storms and more wildfires like the disasters that continue to ravage our country. They are also ignoring the economic opportunities the clean energy economy presents us with, and instead, choose to double and triple down on an already dying industry. The clean energy economy is here and the rest of the world is moving on without us. This puts us at a tremendous economic disadvantage both home and abroad.”

“Hip Hop Caucus urges states to continue carrying out their own plans to cut emissions and transition to 100% clean energy for all. We also urge the public to participate in the upcoming opportunities to refute this irresponsible move through public comment. Instead of favoring polluters, we need to protect the health and prosperity of the American people. Please know that this dangerous move by Scott Pruitt will not be met without a fight.”

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About Hip Hop Caucus: Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that connects the Hip Hop community to the civic process to build power and create positive change. Through a collaborative leadership network and support of community-driven solutions, HHC focuses on addressing core issues affecting underserved and vulnerable communities. HHC hopes to establish the culture and practice of voting as part of a desired civic lifestyle, as well as empower and train leaders and volunteers from our communities to be strategic leaders, messengers, and spokespeople for issues critical to equality, justice, and opportunity. Learn more at HipHopCaucus.org and by following @HipHopCaucus on social media platforms.

About Mustafa Santiago Ali: Mustafa Santiago Ali is a renowned national speaker, policy maker, community liaison, trainer, and facilitator. Mr. Ali specializes in social and environmental justice issues and is focused on a utilizing a holistic approach to revitalizing vulnerable communities. He joined the Hip Hop Caucus after working 24 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where he most recently served as Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice and Community Revitalization. Throughout his career he has worked with over 500 domestic and international communities to improve people’s lives by addressing environmental, health, and economic justice issues.

At one of Hip Hop’s largest annual events, Hip Hop Caucus is working with activists, academics, and artists to drive social justice and environmental solutions through advocacy and non-partisan electoral organizing

Atlanta, Georgia – October 6, 2017 – This week at one of the world’s largest hip hop festivals,  Hip Hop Caucus has partnered with A3C to train and organize young people on the power of art, music, and hip hop culture advance social justice and civic engagement. Founded in 2005, A3C has grown from a local showcase to become one of the most important hip-hop events of the year, and is commonly referred to as “Hip-Hop’s Family Reunion.”

The Action Summit at A3C powered by Hip Hop Caucus is two days of dedicated programming at the Auburn Avenue Research Library in the center of the festival stages and events in Atlanta. The programing includes a series of events and workshops featuring activists, academics, and artists that explore how to best address social justice challenges through community driven solutions and develop actionable initiatives for young people. Three major tracks for the Action Summit are Police Reform, Getting Out the Youth Vote, and Climate Change and Environmental Justice.

As part of the Action Summit, Hip Hop Caucus joined forces with the Center for Civic Innovation for the A3C Action Pitch National Competition to find, support, and invest in new, innovative ideas that use hip-hop culture as a vehicle to advance social justice and civic engagement. Five finalists will do their final pitches in front of judges and a national audience at the A3C Action Summit this evening. Finalists are competing for $10,000 in cash and business development training. More information on the pitch competition can be found here.

“Social justice movements need innovation and need the energy of young people to drive bold agendas,” said Liz Havstad, COO and Executive Director of Hip Hop Caucus, who will be one of the judges of the Pitch Competition. “Hip Hop Caucus invests in creative communities and young people to be the drivers of change through advocacy and non-partisan electoral organizing, and we are proud to bring empowerment to cultural spaces like the A3C Festival and Conference.”

The Action Summit at A3C powered by Hip Hop Caucus will also feature keynotes from No Malice, formerly of the acclaimed rap duo The Clipse, and Mustafa Santiago Ali, Senior Vice President of Climate, Environmental Justice & Community Revitalization at Hip Hop Caucus.

“At this moment in our country, we must use hip hop – the artform and the culture – to help us organize our collective voices to create change,” said No Malice. “There is a moral voice in Hip Hop that speaks to injustice and struggle, and that is what we are tapping into at the Action Summit at A3C powered by Hip Hop Caucus, and it is what we are tapping into right now in my home state of Virginia to get young people out to vote in our election this November.”

For more information about Hip Hop Caucus at A3C, please visit www.HipHopCaucus.org/A3C and www.a3cfestival.com/action-summit. You can also continue the conversation with us on social media, @HipHopCaucus on everything.

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Antoniewicz, mark@w0c.71c.mwp.accessdomain.com, 202-870-8476

ABOUT HIP HOP CAUCUS: Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that connects the Hip Hop community to the civic process to build power and create positive change. Through a collaborative leadership network and support of community-driven solutions, HHC focuses on addressing core issues affecting underserved and vulnerable communities. HHC hopes to establish the culture and practice of voting as part of a desired civic lifestyle as well as empower and train leaders and volunteers from our communities to be strategic leaders, messengers, and spokespeople for issues critical to equality, justice, and opportunity.

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Washington, D.C. – Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., President & CEO of Hip Hop Caucus, today released the statement below about the tragic and senseless attack at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas last night. The terrorist attack left over 50 people dead and 400 injured, in the most deadly mass shooting in modern United States history.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the victims that lost their lives from this absolute senseless attack. It is hard to comprehend why this would happen and we grieve with the families and friends of the victims in this dark time. They will never be forgotten.”

“We call for a renewed focus and immediate action on America’s gun policies and mental health issues. Weapons created for the battlefield are easily accessible in this country, including high powered rifles with extended magazines. Mental health issues too often go unaddressed and combined with unlimited access to increasingly sophisticated and powerful weapons, we continue to see tragedies unfold. From Columbine High School, to Sandy Hook Elementary School, to Pulse Nightclub, now Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas strip – enough is enough. Let us come together and call on our elected leaders to take action that is needed to protect us against these senseless acts as much as possible. More can be done. What is it going to take for our leaders to act? How many more innocent people need to die and how many more families need to be destroyed?”

“Music is a unifying force – people attend concerts because of their shared love of music, whether it is country or hip hop. It is truly devastating to see that love and unity at a concert disrupted by such a despicable act. Instilling fear in the public through mass shootings is the definition of terrorism. Let us grieve now and also use this moment to come together to call for meaningful action to protect ourselves, family members, friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens in the future.”

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