CINDY CAMPBELL, JAZZY JOYCE, SHA ROCK, MC LYTE, DANYEL SMITH, GAMILAH SHABAZZ, SHERI SHER OF MERCEDES LADIES, AMANDA DIVA AND DREAM HAMPTON SOME OF THE FEW TO BE HONORED
NEW YORK, NY – September 2008 – The Hip Hop Culture Center announces The Impact of Women in Hip Hop, an exclusive event honoring women who have leaped across barriers and blazed a trail in the Hip Hop industry.
Set to take place on Saturday, October 4th at The Hip Hop Culture Center, 2ND Floor of the Magic Johnson Theater on 2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem USA, the 2008 first annual Tribute will induct legends officially into the Hip Hop Culture Center, while recognizing the generation of women following in their footsteps. Featuring The Hypnotized Dance Company and The Hand, an African drum and dance group, The Ladies in Hip Hop Fashion Show, Lyrical Showcases, Film Screenings and a Graffiti Tribute. The Hip Hop Culture Center of Harlem will make history with this Multi-Media Exhibition, bringing the evening to a culmination with The legendary Ralph McDaniels who will be video mixing the best of women in Hip Hop, showcasing his one of a kind archive of all of the females who have impacted Hip Hop.
Cindy Campbell: The talented 1st Lady of Hip Hop. Cindy Campbell is the catalyst for the humble beginnings of Hip Hop. Cindy had a vision to organize a back to school party. Little did she know that her party, DJ'd by her now famous brother, the legendary founder of Hip Hop, Kool Herc was to become known as The Beginning of Hip Hop.
Sha Rock: Sha-rock, the 1st Pioneer Luminary Emcee, originally from the group known as The Funky Four Plus 1, has created a legacy for generations of females to look up to. Her trailblazing work as a Hip Hop artist deserves its rightful place in history.
Gamilah-Lamumba Shabazz: The fourth of Malcolm X's daughters, Gamilah has continued her father's legacy of empowerment and education through her work with urban youth and her use of Hip Hop as a platform for her message of unity and change.
Sheri Sher of Mercedes Ladies: Sheri Sher is a founding member of The Mercedes Ladies, the first all-female MC and DJ crew in the history of hip hop. Sheri has also worked in the psychiatry and criminal justice fields, and she frequently speaks to young women about self-empowerment. She lives in Harlem U.S.A. and has recently published Mercedes Ladies, the novel.
Jazzy Joyce: This Bronx native began breaking down "male only" DJ doors in the early 80's. Inspired by her family and the emerging Hip Hop scene, she bought a pair of turntables, honed her skills and never looked back. Since breaking down the gender door she has made a name for herself that you're sure to recognize. She has also blazed the path for up and coming young women interested in breaking into the Hip Hop world.
Tamekia Flowers: Founder and president of Hip Hop 4 health, a non profit organization dedicated to use hip hop to promote health awareness. Hip Hop 4 health partners with health industry professionals to educate tweens (8-12) and teens (13-17) on health issues through interactive workshops, health fairs, concerts and empowerment seminars.
Amanda Diva: An accomplished poet, journalist, radio & television personality, scholar (she has a Master's degree in African-American Studies), singer, and lyricist, Amanda Diva is definitely the best kept secret in female emcees.
Danyel Smith: Smith is a former editor at large for Time Inc. and the former editor in chief of Vibe. She has also written for the Village Voice, Rolling Stone, Spin, the San Francisco Bay Guardian , and the New York Times. Smith is on the part-time faculty at the New School University and wrote the introduction for the New York Times' bestseller Tupac Shakur.
Dream Hampton: A Hip-Hop journalist who in 1990 became the first woman on staff at The Source magazine, she has penned essays on misogyny, police brutality and global issues. As a contributing writer at Vibe, she wrote career defining articles. Her essays and articles have appeared in a dozen anthologies.
The Impact of Women in Hip Hop will celebrate the successes and contributions of women in Hip-Hop through art exhibitions, film screenings, special performances and key note speeches. Additionally, this event will be used as a platform to educate and empower the community. There will be a voter's registration drive, free HIV screenings, and countless resources on site to promote heath and wellness.