Released on: February 15, 2008, 3:24 pm

Press Release Author: S&S Associates

Industry: Government

Press Release Summary: The Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council &
The Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators join forces



Press Release Body: NEW YORK CITY- February 15, 2008-The Hip-Hop Summit Youth
Council (HSYC) and the Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators will
announce the launch of "Youth Empowerment Day\" during the 37th Annual Legislative
Weekend, which begins February 16, 2008, 11AM - 6PM. Taking place at the State
Capital Building in Albany, NY, this event is designated to both educate and
entertain participants at the first annual "Youth Empowerment Day".

One exciting aspect of this inaugural event is the national talent search contest
for youth and young adults. The winner of The Youth Empowerment Day's" Time 2 Shine\"
Talent search will receive a recording, Film/TV contract. In addition to this
competition, the \"Hip-Hop, Politics and Economics\" Youth Summit will also help
educate attendees about: the positive and negative influences that Hip-Hop has on
various social issues in the urban community; the need and right to vote; and the
importance of graduating from school and pursuing higher education in order to
obtain meaningful employment.

\"The goal of this summit is to use Hip Hop to urge our youth to become productive
citizens through education, exercising their right to vote, pursuing their career
dreams, practicing financial responsibility, and getting involved in the community
to help others,\" says Charles Fisher, Founder and Chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit
Youth Council. \"We will also address the power of Hip Hop and how those in Hip Hop
need to harness this power to better the world. Hip Hop is a multi-billion industry
that has touched not only the lives of youth in American but also people around the
globe. Already we see how the culture of Hip Hop has propelled the youth to vote in
the current U.S. presidential election. And we are please to join with the New York
State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators (ABPRL) to help launch Youth
Empowerment Day.

The Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council was created to address Hip-Hop\'s most important
challenges, including improving the image of Hip Hop, uniting the fractions within
the Hip Hop Community, and empowering those in Hip Hop through education about
social issues and economics.

As the Hip Hop culture continues to gain momentum and increase its strength, so does
the \"Raptivism Movement\" which represents the New Social Message behind the Hip-Hop
culture. Corporations, parents, artists, executives, politicians, community leaders
and even clergy have adopted Hip-Hop as a tool for enlightenment and social change.
Since the 1966 Legislative session, the ABPRL has demanded an equal share of power
and position in the leadership structure and assignments on the major committees
within the legislature, in return for their continued support of the democratic
leadership. From this association, the Black and Puerto Rican legislators were given
the majority whip position, chairmanship of two committees, and representation on
the powerful Assembly committees: Ways and Means, Banks, and Codes. In an effort to
be more inclusive the Caucus changed its name in June of 1997 to \"NYS Black, Puerto
Rican and Hispanic Legislative Caucus.\" The Caucus has continued as an effective
political alliance that has consistently given all minorities, middle-class, the
poor, and working people a real voice in state government. It has been a vital
component of the State Legislature since its creation. From the onset, the Caucus\'
main goal has been to unite African-American and
Hispanic legislators as a powerful force in the State Legislature.

Youth and their parents, young adults, elected officials clergy, celebrities,
community and business leaders, Hip-Hop executives, health care professionals,
educators and federal, state and local agencies targeting youth and young adults
have all been invited to celebrate this groundbreaking alliance between the HSYC and
the ABPRL.

You are invited too! Join the HSYC and ABPRL and help empower our youth. February
16,11AM to 6PM at the State Capital Building in Albany, NY.

For additional press information, please contact:
S&S Associates- 908-221-1660
Tonya Payton- tonya@ssassocs.com
Ann Brown- ann@ssassocs.com


Web Site: http://

Contact Details: 908-221-1660