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"The hip-hop community has been incredibly receptive to our attempt to organize and mobilize their efforts toward making young people's concerns a priority in Washington and in U.S. government, in general."
——Russell Simmons

HIP-HOP YA DON’T STOP

Hip-Hop Community Moves On Its Summit Initiatives, Forms Political Action Committee
The goals set by the recent Hip-Hop Summit in New York have begun to come to fruition. Organizer Russell Simmons and hip-hop, community and political leaders, have formed a political action committee, complete with corporate offices in New York, Los Angeles and Washington, DC, and a board to lead the operation.

Inspired by the Summit, which brought hundreds of hip-hop community leaders, artists and record industry executives to discuss the role and responsibilities of the subculture, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HHSAN) has formed a Hip-Hop Political Action Committee, called Nu America PAC. Its purpose is to promote the political empowerment of the hip-hop community and provide contributions to candidates who take a strong stance on freedom of speech and issues affecting the hip-hop community.

The PAC’s main headquarters will be located in the New York offices of The Source magazine and summit co-organizer Benjamin Muhammad will act as the action network’s executive director. Simmons, Rev. Al Sharpton, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Def Jam President Kevin Liles, Motown President Kedar Massenburg, Loud CEO Steve Rifkind and Interscope President Steve Stoute will serve as board members.

"The hip-hop community has been incredibly receptive to our attempt to organize and mobilize their efforts toward making young people's concerns a priority in Washington and in U.S. government, in general," commented Russell Simmons. "We're very excited and we are sure their input will help to shape a better America. Now roll out more of those Beanie Sigel CDs. With his recent arrest, we’ve got to strike while the iron’s hot."

Other initiatives created at the conference included parental advisory labeling on hip-hop product and marketing and advertising efforts, and creating mentoring programs.