The Hip Hop Caucus is a civil and human rights organization whose vision is to create a more just and sustainable world.
The Hip Hop Caucus came to my attention while reading and writing about 350.org and the Forward on Climate rally being held in Washington D.C. on Sunday, February 17, 2013. The Hip Hop Caucus, 350.org, and Sierra Club are organizing and leading what they hope will be the largest climate rally in U.S. history.
Hip Hop Caucus Organization
Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. founded the nonprofit Hip Hop Caucus in September 2004 as a civil and human rights organization for the 21st century.
“The mission of the Hip Hop Caucus is to organize young people to be active in elections, policymaking and service projects. We mobilize, educate, and engage young people, ages 14 to 40, on the social issues that directly impact their lives and communities.”
Art, entertainment, sports, and cultural expression is an integral part of how the Hip Hop Caucus connects with and inspires their constituency.
Hip Hop Caucus Campaigns, Projects, and Events
Gulf Coast Renewal
The Hip Hop Caucus formed the Gulf Coast Renewal campaign to advocate for the rights of Hurricane Katrina survivors. They met and worked with elected officials, community members, and Hip Hop artists on finding solutions to help the people hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina.
Make Hip Hop Not War
The Make Hip Hop Not War campaign was launched by the Hip Hop Caucus in response to the billions of dollars being spent on war while communities at home suffer economic hardships. This effort is intended to bring young people into the movement for peace overseas and at home.
Respect My Vote!
Hip Hop Caucus’ Respect My Vote! is a non-partisan voter registration, education, and mobilization endeavor to get young people involved in the election process and get out the vote. Hip Hop celebrities and artists help deliver the message.
Green the Block
Green the Block is a Hip Hop Caucus collaborative effort with Green for All to ensure that low-income communities and communities of color have job opportunities in the green economy and a share of green projects are completed in their communities. It also serves as a call to action for green community service projects in underserved areas.
Clean Energy Now!
The Hip Hop Caucus’ Clean Energy Now! bus tour was a partnership with the Alliance for Climate Protection Repower America campaign. The tour began in New Orleans and ended in Washington D.C. Events were held along the 2,000-mile route at churches, colleges, job training centers, and nightclubs. The intent was to listen to young people and advocate for clean energy and green jobs.
Check out this CBS News article, John Legend, MC Lyte honored at Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball, about the Hip Hop Inaugural Ball held at the Harman Center for the Arts in Washington D.C. on January 20, 2013.
Related Posts
- 350.org – a Global Grassroots Movement to Solve the Climate Crisis
- Hands Across The Sand for a Clean Energy Future
- Sierra Club – Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet
Resources
- #Forward on Climate
- Hip Hop Caucus
- Huffington Post – Getting Out the Vote
- PR Newswire – Hip Hop Caucus Clean Energy Now! Bus Tour Wraps-Up On Capitol Hill
- Wikipedia – Hip Hop Caucus
- Whitehouse.gov – Green the Block
