Detroit Hip Hop Summit Success

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Detroit Hip-Hop Summit Draws Over 17k People:

By Nolan Strong
Date: 4/28/2003 2:12 PM


The Hip-Hop Summit commenced in Detroit Saturday (April 26), with tremendous success. The event, which was co-hosted by Eminem and Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and FM 98 WJLB, drew over 17,000 participants.

"It was so big and much better than the New York Summit," HSAN Chairman Russell Simmons told AllHipHop.com. "Kwame Kilpatrick, half the Congressional Black Caucus, State Senator Council Members, and of course the rappers all came out and showed tremendous support."

Leading rappers and moguls attended the summit, to create an "action agenda" on various issues, including support for public education, community economic development, expanding career opportunities and voter registration.

Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President of the Hiphop Summit Action Network, announced the creation of "Hiphop Team Vote," a national voter registration and education program.

"We are standing stronger and stronger after each Hiphop Summit," Chavis told AllHipHop.com. "Detroit was off the hook. We are going to register 20 million new young voters to make a regime change, right here in America."

The program aims to register four million new voters per year over the next five years, primarily from the 18-30 year old age group, throughout the United States.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) was on hand to make a special presentation and encouraged youth to turn their cultural impact into political power.

Nas and Eminem were both honored for their contributions to youth empowerment. Nas was awarded the National Heroes Award for his song and video, "I Can," while Eminem was given the National Outstanding Achievement Award for his charitable work and support of youth in Detroit and in other cities.

The Detroit Hiphop Summit's four events put more than 17,000 hip-hop supporters in action to take the transformation of America to the next level," Chavis added.

Source: Allhiphop