This letter comes to us from our friends at Trick or Vote. HHC chapters did voter education work with Trick or Vote in the 2008 election and they are requesting our partnership and participation again….
Check out the letter written by their National Field Director Richelle DeVoe
http://trickorvote.org/
Hip Hop Congress leaders,
Let me start by saying you have the coolest job out there. Organizing people through music is brilliant.
Let me follow that up by saying I’m lucky enough to have the second coolest job – National Field Coordinator for Trick or Vote.
Why?
We’ve found that face-to-face interaction is the single best way to get someone to vote. Knocking on doors increases turnout by a whopping 8-12%, more than any other method. So, if knocking on doors is the best way to get out the vote, what is the one time of year people expect a knock on their door?
Halloween. And when does Halloween happen to fall on the calendar?
Always a few days before the election.
Trick or Vote is the nation’s largest get out the vote effort… in costume! In 2008 Trick or Vote saw thousands of volunteers in 35 cities knock on over 100,000 doors to increase youth voter turnout and this year, we’re doubling our goals.
Trick or Vote’s volunteers will go out on the door steps in over 50 cities this year to contact over 200,000 people on Halloween night and we want to help you get out the vote in your community! Trick or Vote is an excellent GOTV campaign, a great way to recruit and retain new volunteers, offers a means of fundraising, and we’re offering a lot of support and help.
Do you want to get out the vote in your community? Can we help?
Then let me know and let’s work together!
Check out the attached document for more information or http://trickorvote.org- also feel free to contact me directly at richelledevoe@gmail.com.
Richelle DeVoe
Trick or Vote National Field Coordinator
(406) 542-VOTE
Chapter Events – Past and Upcoming
Auburn Chapter – Cali has been BUSY!
In June 2010 they held their 5th Annual Youth Court Summit. Their Youth Hip Hop Congress member Brandon Scott AKA ‘Chozin’ spoke about turning his life around with the use of music and support of his family. He also gave a powerful performance at UC Davis for an auditorium of about 300. July 17th Auburn Hip Hop Congress turned 1 year old, aw, how sweet ? They also organized a summer concert series including Hip Hop Awareness Festival 2010! In September 2010, they began their Urban Arts Workshop at their local Parks and Recreation. Attendance has been up to 30 youth ages 12-21 learning the Hip Hop Basics from the BEST in the Business! Each week there is a new topic and a new guest speaker giving a lesson on an element of Hip Hop. If anyone is interested in coming out to teach, we welcome you! There is also a small stipend available for workshop teachers by our Youth Hip Hop Congress Chapter.
In Southern California, Soka University’s chapter has just recently started up activities for the fall semester. They plan to continue hosting “The Show”: a concert series of student and guest performances which provide a space for the development of students’ creative expression. (If you are close and interested in performing- anything- get at them!) This semester, they also plan on hosting hip hop film showings, listening sessions, and laying the groundwork for the development of a spoken word poetry group. They are starting the process of more closely documenting the concerts of the past as well as our “Elements of Change” conference which we held last spring of the last two years. Lastly, they are working on writing a paper for the school’s Soka Education Student Research Project conference this upcoming spring. The conference explores the development of the philosophy of Soka Education. This pedagogy asserts that the happiness of the learner should be the ultimate goal of education and aims to cultivate students’ creative abilities for the purpose of contributing to society. The paper will explore the relationship between Hip Hop, Soka Education, and social justice. More to come soon!
In the heart of Los Angeles, HHC – LASC (LA Southwest College) was just chartered for its second year! They have a new dope Banner, T-shirts & buttons ready for the school’s Rush Week Oct. 4th – 7th. After that, they will be focusing on the upcoming election and the candidates whom best support us as students as well as the issues on the ballot that concern students. Read more »
HIP HOP CONGRESS GOES 
To all the Hip Hop Heads, Organizers, Activists, Artists, Fans and Supporters of Hip Hop Congress
For years, members of Hip Hop Congress have discussed the strategic viability of making ourselves ‘go platinum.’ Now we are taking the initiative to do it, and we need your help. Our concept is simple: invest a portion of the resources we have committed to the hip hop economy (via music and show ticket sales) to community empowerment!
Please Donate $5 to $40 to Hip Hop Congress and help us ‘go platinum.’ This money will go go DIRECTLY back into your communities. Hip-Hop Congress will use your money to fulfill our mission of providing the Hip Hop and Post Hip Hop Generation with the tools, resources, and network to create political, social, and economic change.
What does your donation pay for?
* Funding of arts education outreach programs that will connect Hip Hop Congress members and chapters to local and regional schools, programs and youth centers
* Funding new operations and offices for Hip-Hop Congress and our cultural partners around the globe.
* Supporting our youth, high school and college chapters in their programming and event goals by funding entrepreneurial endeavors that will ensure a sustained independent Hip-Hop economy.
* Community organizing and education campaign efforts on issues that affect all of our communities like youth violence, police accountability, poverty, institutional racism, and diversity. Read more »
I met Attica Woodson Scott around two years ago in little café in Louisville around the corner from the old Women In Transition office. I had no idea that a year and half or so from that moment I would be walking through the projects for her campaign. Good times. Since that time, I’ve kept my eye on the rising star and the moves that she’s made in her campaign.
1. First off, the obvious question. What motivated you to run for School Board and what do you hope to change once you get into office?
I am Attica Woodson Scott and I was motivated to run for school board because I saw a need for strong educational policy within Jefferson County Public Schools. I have two children in our public schools so I am navigating the system on a regular basis. And parents of children in school were encouraging me to run because they wanted someone who could relate to what they as parents and to what their children are experiencing.
When I am elected on November 2nd, my plan for change includes revising our current bussing plan, working with local service providers to truly address the fact that at least 10,550 of our students are homeless, pushing for continued investigation into school suspension disparity rates, implementing a program to have students serving on the board of education, investigating the disproportionate number of poor students and children of color in alternative schools, and more.
2. A lot of people say that you can’t really make a difference in office. What is your motivation for feeling like you can make an impact in politics and what do you think are you primary challenges?
I can make an impact in politics because my campaign is about the people in school board District 1. We are running a real grassroots campaign that is powered by people and that is focused on building relationships across differences. Because my campaign is about “we,” I know that I can make an impact in politics because I am accessible, accountable, connected, responsible and transparent which is different from what the political status quo has to offer.
My primary challenges to having a long-lasting impact in politics are that I am determined and passionate which makes some people uncomfortable.
3. From the outside looking in, you’re running a remarkable effective campaign. Where’d did you acquire you’re political savvy? What advice would you have for anyone interested in entering politics? Read more »
Weekly Updates | shamako October 5, 2010 | 
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