Thug Life Army

Jeff Johnson (political motivator and Co-host BET’s “The Chop Up”), Davey D, noted Hip Hop journalist and pioneer; Fred Hampton, Jr. (son of slain Black Panther leader, Fred Hampton, Sr. and Chairman of Prisoners of Conscience Committee) along with Malik Yusef are among confirmed panelists for the 2006 National Hip Hop Political Convention, scheduled for July 20-23, 2006 at Jacob Carruthers Center for Inner-City Studies located 700 East 40th Street, Chicago, IL.

Building on the success of the first-ever National Hip Hop Political Convention, where in 2004 over 6000 members of the Hip Hop generation converged in Newark, NJ to address pressing issues affecting the Hip Hop generation, this year’s convention focuses on training future leaders and equipping the generation to become accountable and responsible with Hip Hop as a culture and music. The theme of the 2006 NHHPC is Money Power Respect. Programming is designed to educate members of the Hip Hop generation on how to earn, demand and work for all three.

Scheduled programming consists of Freedom School; H2O Film Festival; Issue Education; MPR Town Hall Meetings addressing key issues including media justice; panel discussions; “The Take Over” Hip Hop Concert and Block Party; and culminating vote on agenda by NHHPC National Assembly.

Other participants and panelists include Bakari Kitwana, author of "The Hip Hop Generation: Young Blacks and the Crisis in African-American Culture"; Zack Exely, former Director of Online Communications and Online Organizing for democratic presidential candidate John Kerry; Leila Steinberg, producer of Tupac documentary, “Thug Angel: The Life of an Outlaw”; Brian Rikuda, winner of BET and Dame Dash produced "Ultimate Hustler"; Baye Adofo – Wilson, Lead Organizer of the 2004 NHHPC-Community and Real Estate Developer, Enoch Muhammad, founder Task Force; Monique Scott, SEIU; Rosa Clemente, Malcolm X Grassroots Ryan Ford, Source magazine’s executive editor; Angela Woodson; State Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan, (GA-D); Billy ''Upski'' Wimsatt, ; Khari Mosley, regional director for the League of Young Voters; and Malia Lazu, National Field Director for Cities for Progress.

The plenary session for this year’s event will be “The Movement Continues,” an intergenerational dialogue between organizers and activists from the Civil Rights era and the Hip Hop generation. Chicago’s own, Cliff Kelley (WVON) will moderate the discussion.

While this year’s Convention is focused on training leaders, there also will be entertainment. The host committee for the 2006 NHHPC presents “The Take Over” Hip Hop Concert and Block Party featuring performances by Dead Prez, SB (dubbed by Chicago Tribune as “One of Chicago's Ten Hottest Acts"), Ang13 (listed in the Source as “one of the underground’s best kept secret”), Immortal Technique, respected Hip Hop artist and activist; Chicago’s very own Twon Gabbz, Mikkey, Cappadonna along with many of the nation’s most positive independent artists.

For registration log on to www.2006hiphopconvention.com or dial 773.238.4533.

The cost of registration for freedom school trainings is $35 for the general public. On-site registration is available.