The Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund, PowerPAC and the Hip-Hop Summit
Action Network announced today the launch of an unprecedented, focused
national campaign to mobilize the hip-hop generation of youth voters to
ensure the largest youth voter turnout in American history on November
4, 2008. The press conference to launch the national “Hip-Hop
Team Vote: Turn Up The Vote” campaign will be
held in the city of Philadelphia on March 19 at 11am EDT on the campus
of the University of Pennsylvania, Houston Hall (Bodek Lounge) at 3417
Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. In addition, the press
conference will announce a statewide youth voter registration effort
between March 18 – March 24, the deadline to
register voters for the April 22 Pennsylvania primary. Dr. Benjamin
Chavis, President/CEO of the Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund, Steve
Phillips, Founder and Chairman of PowerPAC and Valeisha Butterfield,
Executive Director of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, 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,
including hip-hop radio stations, artists, recording industry street
teams, web and pod casts, social networks, blogs and grass roots
organizing.
“We decided to draw the line, especially in
Pennsylvania, to settle once and for all any question about the
sustainability of the impact of the youth vote transforming the American
political landscape,” declared HSAN former
Chairman, Russell Simmons. “While there’s
been much speculation, and in some instances outright denial, of the
impact of the youth vote, we know the power and self expression of young
people is growing. We want to celebrate that growth and encourage an
even greater youth voter turnout.”
Dr. Benjamin Chavis emphasized, “The truth
is, four years ago in the last national election, we witnessed the
largest youth voter turnout in American history. We know, beyond the
shadow of any doubt, the evolution of hip-hop culture helped to create
that reality. We are already witnessing now in 2008 how young voters are
building and expanding on the foundation laid four years ago. Civic
engagement is a part of what it means to be a responsible citizen. And,
in defiance of some of the myths about the responsibility of the hip-hop
generation, it is in fact a significant testimony that the youth of
today are not only rising to the occasion of responsibility, they are
taking charge and will make the biggest difference in the outcome of the
2008 presidential election.”
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.
“The hip-hop generation of this country will
make the critical difference in determining the next President of the
United States,” declared Valeisha
Butterfield. “Through Hip-Hop Team Vote, we
have redefined the face and perception of what it is to be a new young
voter. As a program created to effectively engage young adults in the
political process, Hip-Hop Team Vote has launched the ‘Turn
Up The Vote’ campaign to address the issues
that directly effect our generation and to ensure that our unified voice
is heard loud and clear. As a young woman and professional in the
recording industry, I send an open invitation to every young adult in
the state of Pennsylvania and throughout America to join our movement.”
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 are the United States Student Association and
Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN).
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.
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