AHhead.org to promote "Hip-Hop for Peace" Cookout Series in Crime-Ridden neighborhoods.

Advancing Hip-Hop for Education Activism and Development (AHHEAD) announced a plan to produce and promote nine "Hip-Hop for Peace" Cookouts in Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan during the summer.

AHhead President, Chantel Calloway met with Boston Police Captain Russell of Dudley Station District B-2 to discuss creative interaction between officers and area youth in Roxbury during the festive events. Photo opts with motorcycle officers and K-9 tricks and shows are in the works for a summer long program to curb inner city violence each Saturday beginning June 30th, culminating on September 1st.

"I think it's a wonderful idea," said Captain Paul Russell during the hour-long meeting with Miss Calloway and AHhead.org's Founder/CEO, MC Spice. The platinum hip hop / rap music producer started the organization in response to the murders of four young men in a Dorchester recording studio two years ago. The cookout series will begin at Forest Street in Roxbury and includes poetry, face painting, performances by New England artists, and plenty of food in what will be a day long community event to bring families and neighbors together. Boston's newest radio station, Touch 106.1 FM has pledged their support of the cookout series.

Chantel Calloway has worked on various past events, including the Calloway Entertainment Martin Luther King Day event at the Roxy and NexEvents'' heralded New England Hair Show. "Hip-Hop is more than a music form. It's a movement and a lifestyle created to unify the youth. Our purpose is to use Hip-Hop to promote self worth, self esteem, wisdom, equality, and more importantly, its four spiritual elements: Peace, Unity, Love and Havin'' Fun," said Miss Calloway.

Having lost more than forty friends to gang violence, MC Spice has promised to champion for peace amongst area youths through strategic alliances and in depth dialogue with known gang members and at-risk youths. "We must first understand that all energy is good energy. We, in the Hip-Hop community just need to figure ways to harness the energies in individual youths and positively redirect that energy for good causes," explained the songwriter known for the success of Mark Wahlberg's debut and sophomore efforts.

For monetary, in-kind or volunteer donations, contact AHhead.org at 617-977-8334 or visit the website at www.ahhead.org