The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network Adds Dallas

The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, which is based in New York City, announced that Dallas, TX will be the site of a Southwest Regional Hip-Hop Summit, slated for October 11-12, 2002. The goal of the Dallas Hip-Hop Summit is to provide a unique opportunity for hip-hop artists, music industry executives, elected officials, civic and youth leaders to work together to improve the social and economic conditions in the urban areas of the Southwest region.

Hip-hop legend and Dallas native, the D.O.C., was responsible for encouraging the
Hip-Hop Summit Action Network to consider Dallas for its third Summit, following others held in New York City and Los Angeles. "Hip-hop continues to evolve and we have reached another pivotal moment in our development," commented the D.O.C. "The Dallas Summit will serve to highlight the fact that hip-hop, as a genre of music and as a way of life, is concerned about the future of our youth."

"Russell Simmons and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network are very pleased to join the D.O.C., Mayor Pro-Tem Don Hill, Dr. Beverly Mitchell-Brooks of the Dallas Urban League, Carolyn Jordan of the Boys and Girls Club and State Representative Helen Giddings," stated Minister Benjamin Muhammad, President of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network. "The Dallas Hip-Hop Summit has a tremendous potential to send a positive hip-hop message to youth throughout the world."

The central focus of the Dallas Hip-Hop Summit is to encourage youth leadership development in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, utilizing hip-hop as a method of motivation and inspiration. Specifically, the Summit will focus on youth voter registration and education; improving literacy and reading through the Urban Leaguer Def Jam Reader program; increasing economic development and wealth management opportunities; and programs to enhance youth self esteem and awareness.

An outcome of the Dallas Hip-Hop Summit will be the formal establishment of the Dallas Hip-Hop Summit Youth
Council, which will be responsible for the ongoing implementation and coordination of the recommendations and priorities that will be set at the Summit.