Revolve, a fundraiser for Project HIP-HOP

Peace family,

I wanted to take a quick moment to say hello to everyone and invite you to an event this Thursday evening. You may or may not know already, but I am a volunteer and board member for an organization by the name of Project HIP-HOP, which is based in Dudley-Square. It is a youth-focused entity that is helping to create a new generation of community-engaged, socially-conscious, and grounded young people. This Thursday, May 28th, Project HIP-HOP will host an event entitled, REVOLVE, at the Boston Foundation's headquarters (75 Arlington Street) from 6 PM until 8:30 PM. The event will feature live music by our resident teen DJs, hors d'oeuvres by Ethnica Catering, and refreshments by Bon Vivant Wine Company.

Project HIP-HOP is not all things to all people; but it means the world to many. It is a safe haven for youth from Dudley Square's bordering neighborhoods. It is a nest for a new breed of community organizing centered around local solutions to local problems with creative thought, feedback, and action by those most affected by the problems and the solutions. It is an experience in itself where youth learn about ways to use hip-hop culture for social change to empower themselves and their communities

To be straight-up, it is indeed a fundraiser, but also a celebration. It will be a time for us to celebrate many occasions. Our Executive Director, Mariama White-Hammond, was recently named a Barr Fellow and will embark upon an extended sabbatical. Filling in for her will be D'Mon Bills, PHH's Deputy Director, who just joined in February and hit the ground running. For the last three years, I have served as the board chairperson. I will be stepping aside as to allow for a fresh leadership perspective. Taking my place as board chairperson is Marc Germain, a good brother who is actually a PHH alumnus. So, in essence, PHH has already come full circle. Two people (Mariama is an alum as well) who were formerly youth leaders are now community leaders committed to fostering a new kind of cycle amongst our people. Not one of tragedy, despair, and struggle; but one of purpose, hope, and integrity.

So, in closing, I am asking you to consider attending the event, but even more importantly, to strongly consider making financial or in-kind donation. I truly believe with my heart and soul in this organization and its impact has been tremendous thus far. But as the saying goes, there is always room for improvement. The young people of this city need to know that the adults do in fact have their backs.

If you would like to learn more Project HIP-HOP, feel free to visit the web site or just ask me. I'm all ears. Take care and stay up.

Peace,
-Eric/POPS

http://www.projecthiphop.org/revolve.html