| |
| Hip Hop 4 Life Newsletter | September 2011 |
|
| THE MESSAGE
A Note From The Executive Director |
|
“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you." – Maya Angelou
Greetings and welcome to this month's installment of The Message, Hip Hop 4 Life's newsletter that keeps you abreast on the happenings of the organization. As we celebrate our 8th year of “providing interactive life skills training and health awareness workshops that are designed to engage, educate and empower young people to lead extraordinary lives,” we are excited about what the next eight years has in store for Hip Hop 4 Life.
As Hip Hop 4 Life continues to grow, we are thrilled to welcome two new interns to our family; Fatima Bodrick and Kelauni Cook. Words can not express how happy we are to have them on board!
On behalf of our Board of Directors, Staff, National Advisory Council and Youth Advisory, I want to thank all of our donors, supporters, volunteers, champions and friends for supporting our mission, our vision and our purpose. Whether you’ve blessed us with your money, your time, your advice, your prayers, goods, resources or your endorsements, you have played a key role in the growth of this dynamic organization that started back in 2003 in a tiny apartment in Brooklyn with just one small program. It is truly because of you that we have been able to serve the youth of America for the last 8 years and continue to Engage, Educate and Empower! THANK YOU!
With Appreciation,
Tamekia Flowers-Holland
Founder/Executive Director
www.HipHop4Lifeonline.com
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
4th ANNUAL YOUTHFEST!
Saturday, October 8th
Doors open: 9:30 am
Event ends: 4:00 pm
John Jay College for Criminal Justice
899 Tenth Avenue, New York City
(between 58th & 59th Streets)
Free Admission ~ Special Guest Appearances ~ Performances
Give-A-Ways ~ Free Lunch
Hip Hop 4 Life's 4th Annual YOUTHFEST will be held in New York City on October 8, 2011. This year’s theme, “The World Is Yours,” will focus on the importance education, vision-building, college readiness and career planning. We will have special panelists, performers, and cool give-a-ways. Best of all, YOUTHFEST is free! Young people, ages 12-18, are invited to attend. The first 100 youth to register will receive a VIP gift bag!
YOUTHFEST would not be complete without our popular parent workshop, a free day-long session. The The parent workshop is open to the first 70 parents to register and will feature exciting workshops by Kheperah Kearse and representatives from John Jay College.
Click Here to download the YOUTHFEST registration form.
We welcome schools, community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations to bring your youth! For more information contact us at Info@HipHop4Lifeonline.com.
Hip Hop 4 Life is proud to acknowledge Empowerment Team member Rasmokonnen Taylor! Ras played a key role in helping us to secure John Jay College as our host venue this year via his outstanding presentation to President Jeremy Travis!
Special Shout Out to YOUTHFEST's Sponsors, Donors and Supporters (to date):
John Jay College for Criminal Justice
Hot 97
98.7 Kiss fm
Walt Disney Company/Disney VoluntEARS
Adidas
Dwyane Wade/Wade's World Foundation
Ludacris/Disturbing Tha Peace – Soul Headphones
Pop Chips
Blue Microphones
A. Troy Brown, One50One
Adrienne White, Disney VoluntEARS
Rulissa Galloway-Perry, John Jay College and Hip Hop 4 Life Supermom
Sharon Heyward
Chanel Haliburton
Raoul Marques, Hip Hop 4 Life
Fred Thomas, Universal Records
Michelle Flowers, Life Spire
Rhina Ramnarinne
Leon Clarke, Creative Concepts Imaging
DJ Cram
Stephen Knight, Photographer
Tania Hamilton
David Anderson, NYC Department of Education
Our Dynamic Host Committee Members:
Thuy-An Julien, Music Industry Executive
Marsha Jean-Charles, Oppenheimer Funds
Lindsay Robinson, Team Epiphany
Datown Thomas, VIBE
Paul Arrington, Fashion Impressario
Kirk Clarke, Creative Concepts Imaging
Our Diligent And Committed Members of The Planning Committee:
Nicole Tucker-Pollard
Tamekia Flowers-Holland
Tanisha Tate
Asia Sutherland
Raoul Marques
Brian Chambers
Leon Clarke
Ebony Jones
Risa Dixon
Kelauni Cook
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
 |
 |
|
Hip Hop 4 Life Can’t Wait To See Your Passion Shine
By Fatima Bodrick, Hip Hop 4 Life Intern
If you have heard the name Madea you may instantly think, Tyler Perry. In recent news, Forbes Magazine listed Tyler Perry as the highest earning man in Hollywood. Have you ever wondered what made him so successful? The answer is easy, the same career he is getting paid to do, is the same career he would do for free.
People who are truly successful use what they are passionate about to make a living; this equals to a career of happiness and eventually financial stability. Like many of us, we have to start from the bottom and work our way up to the top. Growing up, Tyler struggled with abuse and what he has described as a dysfunctional family. At the time it seemed that all odds were against him until he began to write down the situations he was going through as a form of therapy and escape. Writing turned into a hobby he was passionate about. Tyler never gave up his quest to write, produce films, plays and TV series. With a hobby, hard work and faith, anything is possible.
When you are passionate about something, it is easy for you to work hard at it and become the best. The great thing is your passion won’t feel like work because you enjoy what you do. No matter what situation or circumstance we are in, when we lead with our passion we can never fail. Tyler Perry is just one of the many African American males that have proved we can let our passions shine if we just believe.
What is your passion? Hip Hop 4 Life is excited to see you shine!
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
By Josh McCarthur, Hip Hop 4 Life Empowerment Team Member
Hello my name is Joshua McCarthur. I joined Hip Hop 4 Life after I was arrested for making a decision that changed my life. Hip Hop 4 Life taught me the importance of good decision making and recognizing all possible outcomes. If it wasn’t for the loving, caring and supportive empowerment team I don’t know where I would be.
By Rasmokonnen Taylor, Hip Hop 4 Life Empowerment Team Member
My name is Rasmokonnen Taylor. I am 17 years old and from Harlem, New York. Growing up, I experienced violence beyond what many could imagine. To witness violence at such a young age makes you think about things you never took serious before and really decide to be proactive in your life.
A few years ago I transferred from Norman Thomas High School to Pace High School. At Pace, I found Hip Hop 4 Life (HH4L). During my first week in the HH4L program it was hard for me to be motivated. I was forced to change my mentality after I was jumped by a group of teens and incarcerated. After that pivotal moment, I wanted to ensure I took full advantage of the opportunities given and truly make something of myself. The greatest lesson I learned from my experience is, “Tomorrow isn’t promised so why not make the best of today?” With my new motto in mind, I have been able to fulfill one of my dreams of performing stand up comedy at the Broadway Comedy Club.
Now, I am preparing to graduate from high school and I am on the verge of becoming one of the youngest event planners in New York City through my first showcase. The event will be a fundraiser for the best program ever, Hip Hop 4 Life. I can honestly say, with out a doubt, that if it weren’t for this program I don’t know where I would be right now.
Thank you Hip Hop 4 Life.
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Hip Hop 4 Life is a champion of youth empowerment. Our mission is to provide interactive life skills and health awareness programs that are designed to engage, educate and empower young people to lead extraordinary lives. Hip Hop 4 Life’s three core programs that are offered are the Empowerment Team, a mentoring program for youth 12-18; Youth Development, provided to schools and community organizations; and Community Outreach, a program that involves executing and participating in community-based events. Since our inception in 2003, Hip Hop 4 Life has served over 10,000 youth throughout the country. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
