After the last rhyme was spoken, the final DJ scratch heard, and the final dancer left the floor one can only reflect on the success of 6th Annual Hip Hop Congress Conference. Over the course of four days with a host of workshops, motivational speeches and artist performances, Hip Hop Congress sought to keep the themes of individual empowerment, unity and education reverberating in the minds of Hip Hop community members.

Martha Diaz, keynote speaker and president/founder of the Hip Hop Association, kept education at the forefront of her speech Thursday evening by reminding all members of the Hip Hop Congress and all attendees how important education is to a community. “A meeting of the minds must happen for our communities and country to thrive,” said Diaz.

Also in collaboration with Live Earth and a Hip Hop Congress conference attendees wore earth tones colors, encouraged local businesses, students, and residents to tune into the 24 hour concert, posted, and later recycled, Live Earth Posters throughout the city and read the Live Earth pledge during workshops and performances.

At the Grand Finale HHC show at Casa Nueva Saturday Night, Northern California Regional Director and Event Host, DLabrie performed a song about the Katrina Disaster and repeatedly reminded the crowd of 500 to check out LiveEarth.org and to use the resources on the website to help end Global Warming. Other Performers included BluePrint, One Be Lo, Invincible, The Jacka, Kamikaze, Quanstar, Kosher Dillz, and Twilight Sentinels.

As a closing thought Shamako Noble exclaimed, “This year’s conference allowed us to take a lot of strides, but also exposed a lot of areas where we can improve. I am happy to say, nonetheless, that the OU chapters and all of the folks that helped put this together work tirelessly and helped produce a remarkable event.”

Lastly there were major partnerships created and solidified between Hip Hop Congress and Unite Here, PPERC, Seattle Urban Debate Foundation, and Ohio University.

Hip Hop Congress will soon be releasing information about the time and date of next year conference, as well as further information concerning events for all 45 national chapters.

For more information please email Berkowitz@hiphopcongress.com