Cynthia McKinney & The 4th Hip Hop Power Shop

Press Advisory, May 25, 2006

WHO: Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney
WHAT: Hosts the fourth annual Hip Hop Power Shop
WHEN: Saturday, June 10th, 2006 10:00 am ­ 4:00 pm
WHERE: Tupac Amaru Shakur Center, 5616 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, GA

Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and the Hip Hop community are coming together to promote the awareness and empowerment of young people. We are "ARMING OUR YOUTH WITH WEAPONS OF MASS INSTRUCTION," teaching the young how to engage in the social-political system. Congresswoman McKinney believes that young people will be able to take their destiny into their own hands, and soar to heretofore-unseen levels of achievement. To that end, this year's H.H.P.S. will be the most informative and inspiring ever.

Confirmed as participants joining Rep. McKinney in the fourth Annual Hip Hop Power Shop: Bobby Brown, Professor Griff, Gotti, Public Enemy, Chuck D, M-1 (Dead Prez), Rosa Clemente, Davey D, Nappy Roots ­ Scales, DJ Jelly, Monica Benderman, wife of prisoner of conscience Sgt. Kevin Benderman, Ingemar Smith, Veterans for Peace, Denise Thomas Military Families Speak Out, Rev. Markel Hutchins, community activist, Steven Waddy Georgia Coalition for a People's Agenda, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Baba Curtis and Minister Server and many more.

Nationally known DJ Greg Street from Atlanta's #1 radio station, V-103 will be the Master of ceremony.

This year's Hip Hop Power Shop will also feature participation from Mr. Tony Gray a nationally recognized radio consultant, programmer and station owner.

Events include a Katrina Tribunal, Mock Congress on the Tupak Shakur Records Release Act, poetry readings, and panels on Countering Culture: Attacks on Political Musicians and Youth, and Hip Hop History and Speak Out, and on Countering Recruitment: Realities of War and Military Service.

The Hip Hop Power Shop will wrap up with a performance by Moodswing Productions recording artist: "JR".

COUNTERING CULTURE: CHALLENGES AND SURVIVAL FOR YOUTH OF COLOR
Arming Our Youth With Weapons of Mass Instruction

What's coming at them:
Attack on cultural icons and leadership (Tupac and MLK)
Police repression
War on Black Youth
Dead end jobs
Cutting social support
Military recruitment and poverty draft

Options:
Go to war and kill ­ veterans
Prisons

Real solutions:
Voter registration forms, get out the vote
Community based alternatives (have support groups table?)
Self-improvement (education, job training, talents and skills)
Building community
Empowerment and resistance

SCHEDULE

10:00-10:10 AM
Welcome - Rep. McKinney and Tupac Center staff

10:10 ­ 11:00 AM
Katrina Tribunal and Mock Congress on Tupac Shakur Records Act

11:00 ­ 11:10

Poetry, local artists

11:10PM ­ 12:00PM
Panel 1: Countering Culture: Attacks on Political Musicians and Youth

12:00-12:30
LUNCH and Poetry, local artists

12:30 ­ 1:20 PM
Panel 2: Countering Recruitment: Realities of War and Military Service

1:20 ­ 1:30 PM
Poetry, local poets/artists

1:30 ­ 2:20 PM
Panel 3: Countering Culture: Hip Hop History and Speak Out

2:20 ­ 3:50
"American Blackout" (film showing)

3:50 pm ­ Closing remarks and Wrap-up

ENDS

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