About the Hip Hop Caucus

Earth Day in Washington DC at the Historic Howard Theater

Sun, 20 Apr 2014 21:30:00 -0400

Join the Hip Hop Caucus Act On Climate Tour this Tuesday for Earth Day at the historic Howard Theater! Check out some of the special guests below. They will be speaking and performing! R.S.V.P. for tickets here. Share the graphics below on twitter, facebook and instagram! #ActOnClimate @HipHopCaucus

The first half of the tour is complete! We are onto the second...

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 04:16:00 -0400

The first half of the tour is complete! We are onto the second half now. Here we come, Washington DC, Greensboro NC, and Atlanta GA!

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT: EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to Speak at Final Tour Stop

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 04:12:00 -0400

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been following our tour, and has partnered with us to ensure that the important discussions we are having on campuses and in communities are heard by decision makers in Washington, DC. We are thrilled to announce that the Administrator of the EPA, Gina McCarthy, will be giving a keynote address at the final stop of the tour on April 24, at Clark Atlanta University. (Tickets and details are here).

Check out Gina McCarthy’s special video message to the Hip Hop Caucus:

More about Gina McCarthy:

Gina McCarthy is the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Appointed by President Obama in 2009 as Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, Gina McCarthy has been a leading advocate for common-sense strategies to protect public health and the environment.

Previously, McCarthy served as the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. During her career, which spans over 30 years, she has worked at both the state and local levels on critical environmental issues and helped coordinate policies on economic growth, energy, transportation and the environment.

McCarthy received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts at Boston and a joint Master of Science in Environmental Health Engineering and Planning and Policy from Tufts University.

When she is not in D.C., McCarthy lives in the Greater Boston area with her husband and two dogs, just a short bike ride away from their three children, Daniel, Maggie and Julie.

We’ve got smart, funny, musical, powerful speakers on the...

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 22:27:00 -0400

We’ve got smart, funny, musical, powerful speakers on the Hip Hop Caucus #ActOnClimate tour!

Tour Promo Video is Here!

Thu, 20 Mar 2014 22:10:00 -0400

Global Sustainability Expert Dr. Micheal Dorsey Will be Speaking at Hampton, Central State, and Wayne State

Mon, 17 Mar 2014 22:59:00 -0400

Dr. Micheal Dorsey, the “Green Doctor” is a scholar and activist, with global expertise in climate impacts and climate policy. A Detroit native, Dr. Dorsey hones in on the intersection of justice, climate and the environment. Click read more below to check out his amazing bio, and make sure to come see him speak on our tour! Follow Dr. Dorsey on twitter @GreenHejira.

More about Dr. Dorsey:

Dr. Michael Dorsey is a recognized expert on global governance and sustainability. For more than two decades Dr. Dorsey has provided strategic guidance and advice to governments, foundations, firms and a multitude of others on the interplay of multilateral environment policy, finance and economic development matters. In 1992, he was a member of the U.S. State Department Delegation to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, “The Earth Summit.” From 1994-96 he was a task force member of President William Jefferson Clinton’s Council on Sustainable Development. In 1997, in Glasgow, Scotland, Dorsey was bestowed Rotary International’s highest honor, The Paul Harris Medal for Distinguished Service to Humanity. A “Life member” of the Sierra Club, Michael served seven years as a Director on the Club’s national board.

Presently Dr. Dorsey is the interim Director of the energy and environment program at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. Dr. Dorsey also has extensive work experience around the world, maintaining longstanding collaborations with colleagues across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

In 1993 Dorsey’s first long-term work in Africa began at the Nairobi, Kenya based African Centre for Technology Studies. Almost a decade later, in 2002, Dorsey was a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Since 2011 Dr. Dorsey has been visiting scholar at the University of KwaZuluNatal (UKZN), attached to the Centre on Civil Society in Durban, South Africa. Over the years Dr. Dorsey has been a perennial guest on SABC radio and TV.

In Asia Dr. Dorsey has worked closely with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP); and extensively with firms and institutions in India and Thailand.

Across Europe Dorsey has been a visiting lecturer at various institutions, including the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (The Royal University of Groningen, The Netherlands) in 2001; in the Department of Regional Planning at the Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden) in 2002. From 2001-2005 Dorsey was heavily involved in the What Next? Project at the Uppsala, Sweden based Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation. Since 2008, Dr. Dorsey has been an Affiliated Researcher on the Sustainability and Climate Research Team at Erasmus University’s Research Institute of Management inside the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM-ERIM, The Netherlands). In 2013 Dr. Dorsey was inducted as a “Full member” into the Club of Rome –founded in 1968 as an informal association of independent leading personalities from politics, business and science.

Fluent in Spanish, from 1999 to 2001, Dorsey lived in Ecuador, as a legal, permanent resident. He served as a program director jointly with the Instituto de Estudios Ecologistas del Tercer Mundo and Acción Ecológica. At Acción Ecológica Dorsey co-led and fundraised for an initiative monitoring the commercialization of biodiversity in Ecuador as well as the other four countries in the Andean Pact. Subsequently he advised the Ecuadorian Institute for Intellectual Property (IEPI)—an Ecuadorian government agency.

From April 2007 until November 2008 Dr. Dorsey was a member of Senator Barack Obama’s energy and environment Presidential campaign team. In 2009 the Ford Foundation, recognized Dr. Dorsey’s ongoing contribution to examining the interplay of climate change policy, finance and social justice concerns with an inaugural grant for the Climate Justice Research Project, supporting research on how emerging carbon markets shape justice-based climate policies. In July 2010 Lisa Jackson, the US Environmental Protection Agency (US- EPA) Administrator, appointed Dr. Dorsey to the EPA’s National Advisory Committee (NAC). Administrator Jackson reappointed Dr. Dorsey to the US-EPA NAC in 2012. Further in the fall of 2013 the National Journal named Dr. Dorsey one of 200 national “energy and environment expert insiders”.

From 2012-13 Dr. Dorsey was a visiting fellow and professor of environmental studies in Wesleyan University’s College of the Environment. Prior to Wesleyan he was an assistant professor in Dartmouth College’s Environmental Studies Program and the Director of the College’s Climate Justice Research Project. Dorsey’s articles have appeared in Nature; Carbon Market Europe; Journal of the North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA); the Los Angeles Times; and beyond. Dr. Dorsey’s scholarly work focuses, in part, on how multilateral finance instruments impact climate and biodiversity policy.

Dr. Dorsey is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment (B.S. & Ph.D.), Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (M.F.S.) and The Johns Hopkins University (M.A.). Before joining Dartmouth’s faculty, he held the college’s Thurgood Marshall Fellowship in Environmental Studies and Geography.

Check out other tour speakers here.

The Multi-Talented Amanda Seales To Participate in All Tour Stops

Mon, 17 Mar 2014 22:06:00 -0400

Amanda Seales (formally Amanda Diva) is excited to speak on the critical issue of climate and environment as it relates to impacted African American communities. Smart, funny, a renaissance woman who graces stages around the country and on TV as a host, comedian, DJ, and culture critic, Amanda Seales is a must see speaker on the Hip Hop Caucus Act On Climate Campus Tour. Follow Amanda on twitter @AmandaSeales.

More about Amanda Seales:

As an undergrad at SUNY Purchase she designed her own major. She’s kept the world laughing on over 25 VH1 clip show specials and weekly on “Best Week Ever”. She’s written, produced 2 one-woman shows,Death of the Diva (‘13) & It’s Complicated: Hilarious Answers to Serious Questions about Love ('14), in New York City. A DJ and former MTV VJ she is a hip hop expert and music connoisseur. She has 58k+ twitter followers and almost as many opinions. Amanda Seales is well connected and well respected for being an intellectual, candid, and hilarious comedian, culture critic, and entertainer. A one of a kind renaissance woman, with a Master’s in African American studies w/ a concentration in Hip Hop from Columbia University, Amanda has built a global following as a charismatic host, gifted speaker, engaging performer, and prolific creative for using humor, wit, honesty, music, and media to create quality content across multiple platforms of web, television, and stage that provide social commentary from the Black/female perspective. Her acclaimed blog/web show, “TIL This Week” (Things I Learned this Week), described as “Funny. Smart. Black.” exemplifies that, weekly taking on all things politics and pop culture. Fearless and electric, along with her own projects, she is a mainstay speaking/blogging on politics, pop culture, and everything in between for major outlets VH1, HLN, CNN, MTV, BET, AOL, Huffington Post, and more. Just like she did in college, Amanda Seales has created her own niche. A proud Black, hip-hop loving, pop culture consuming, socially conscious comedienne and entertainer she is a force of nature keeping audiences and readers riveted by keeping it funny while keeping it real!

Check out other tour speakers here.

Dee-1, RCA Recording Artist and New Orleans Native, Joins tour

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 00:54:00 -0400

Dee-1, recently signed to RCA after a series of successful moves as an independent artist with a mission and vision. While working on his first RCA project he will be joining Hip Hop Caucus on the Act On Climate Campus Tour. As a New Orleans native, he knows firsthand the reality of destruction from stronger and stronger Hurricanes. Dee-1 will be bringing a critical perspective to the tour. Follow Dee-1 on twitter @dee1music

More about Dee-1:

The equation is simple. Soul + swag x New Orleans = Dee-1. He has created his own lane in Hip-Hop by making music that motivates anyone on a mission to win the game of life. He is the voice of those underdogs who grind with a purpose.

After graduating from Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree, Dee-1 taught middle school in Baton Rouge by day to help fund his musical dream. After two years of being “Mr. Augustine” by day and “Dee-1″ by night, he finally decided that his passion for hip-hop was too strong to ignore. Armed with righteousness, realness, and the strong desire to be relevant, Dee-1 set his sights on becoming the type of rapper his students could be proud of. Sleepless nights being a full-time teacher and part-time rapper were now replaced by sleepless nights being a “full-time dream chaser,” as chronicled in his courageous song, “The Announcement.” from his I Hope They Hear Me Vol 1 mixtape.

In March 2011, Dee-1 released the mixtape, “I Hope They Hear Me Vol 2” packed with 18 high energy joints that has already reached thousands. This was a life changing mixtape for Dee-1 as several singles received extensive radio play and regular airplay on MTV Jams. Most notably was his single “Jay, 50, and Weezy,” which created a huge internet buzz that allowed him to take his career and music to the next level. Dee-1’s latest project, “The Focus Tape,” (hosted by legendary Dj Mannie Fresh) was released on October 9, 2012, Followed by “Psalms of David,” (featuring hit song “Work” ft Lecrae) which was released on February 20th, 2013 have both reached over 100,000 people worldwide each. After the huge announcement of Dee-1 signing a major record deal, he released his latest mixtape, “Psalms of David II” on October 19th, 2013.

You haven’t witnessed Dee-1′s true star power until you have seen him live in concert. He is known for giving jaw-dropping, crowd-surfing performances and electrifying audiences whenever he hits the stage. As Dee-1 says, “It feels way better to actually win over an audience rather than just brag on how good I am. I’d rather prove it to you.” Since 2011, Dee-1 has been on four successful nationwide tours, the “Grind and Hustle Tour,” the “Too Focused to Fail Tour,” the “Ridin All By Ourselves Tour,” the “Heist Tour,” and the “Tetsou and Youth Preview Tour.”

Dee-1’s artistry is more than just music; it’s a lifestyle and a frame of mind that he calls “mission vision.” Dee’s nickname “The One Man Army” embodies this mission, “Everyone has a mission, and everyone is their own One Man or One Woman Army.”

Dee-1 recognizes that his music resonates with people because it’s authentic, “That’s why people from the hood all the way to the classroom feel it.” His message extends well beyond the stereotype of the traditional rapper, because as he says, ”real recognizes real.” All of this progress has left die-hard Dee-1 fans asking, “What’s next?”No one knows for sure, but as his fan base continues to grow, Dee-1 has his eye on the prize and is positioning himself to become Hip-Hop’s next great superstar.

Check out the other tour speakers here.

Raheem DeVaughn joins Hip Hop Caucus Act On Climate Campus Tour

Fri, 07 Mar 2014 17:00:00 -0500

Raheem DeVaughn, multi-Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, will be joining every stop on the tour. He will bring his soulful perspective and his phenomenal ability inspire audiences. Follow him on twitter @Raheem_DeVaughn.

More about Raheem:

It’s often said that love makes the world go ‘round and three-time Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Raheem DeVaughn knows that to be the truth. With the release of his fourth studio album, A Place Called Loveland (368 Music Group/Mass Appeal Entertainment), Raheem embraces the global theme while bringing his heart and soul into all tracks of his latest work of aural art. With songwriting collaborations with Ne-Yo and production via talents like Mario Winans, Carvin & Ivan, and Ne-Yo, Raheem proves why he is the “Love King.” The son of renowned jazz musician Abdul Wadud, the breadth and depth of Raheem’s musical journey began while growing up in Maryland as he earned his stripes performing in clubs throughout the Washington, D.C. area. After several indie releases, which he sold on the streets and at his shows, he signed with Jive Records and released The Love Experience in 2005 which spawned hit singles “You” and “Guess Who Loves You More.” In 2008, he delivered Love Behind the Melody. Its first single, “Woman,” was his biggest hit yet and was nominated for a 2008 Grammy Award in the category of Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. A year later, “Customer” was nominated for Best R&B Song. In 2010, Raheem created the ambitious, The Love And War MasterPeace, which was also Grammy-nominated as Best R&B Album of the Year.

Check out the other tour speakers here

Rev Yearwood Will Moderate Tour Stops

Fri, 07 Mar 2014 15:00:00 -0500

Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. is the President and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus. He will be the moderator for the tour. Rev Yearwood is a powerful moral voice, an exciting and entertaining presenter, and a dedicated community leader. You want to hear him speak! Follow him on twitter @RevYearwood.

More about Rev Yearwood:

Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., President and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus, is a minister, community activist and one of the most influential people in Hip Hop political life. A national leader within the green movement, Rev Yearwood has been successfully bridging the gap between communities of color and environmental advocacy for the past decade. Rolling Stone declared Rev Yearwood one of our country’s “New Green Heroes” and Huffington Post named him one of the top ten change-makers in the green movement. Rev Yearwood entered the world of Hip Hop Politics when he served as the Political and Grassroots Director of Russell Simmons’ Hip Hop Summit Action Network in 2003 and 2004. He was also a key architect of P. Diddy’s “Vote Or Die!” campaign. Then in 2004 he founded the Hip Hop Caucus to build a sustainable organization for Hip Hop politics. Rev Yearwood is a proud graduate of Howard University School of Divinity. He was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. He currently lives in Washington, DC with his family.

Check out the other tour speakers here

Civil Rights Leader Rev. Dr. Gerald L. Durley Speaking on Hip Hop Caucus Act On Climate Tour

Fri, 07 Mar 2014 10:28:00 -0500

Rev. Dr. Gerald L. Durley, a heroic civil rights leader, will be bridging the generational gap with the Hip Hop Caucus on the Act On Climate Campus Tour. Bringing critical knowledge from decades of activism and community leadership, Dr. Durley will encourage audiences to see that the issue of climate change is a civil rights issue for our communities.

More about Dr. Durley:

Dr. Durley has been intricately involved in the global warming climate change discussions across the country. He was invited to a Climate Leadership Retreat at the Garrison Institute to share with scientists, clergy, and environmentalists. He has been asked to serve on the Conservation Fund’s National Forum on Children. Dr. Durley appears in the film The Great Warming where he is discussing climate change with urban youngsters at the YMCA. Recently he was asked to testify before the Environmental Protection Agency. On April 22, Dr. Durley orchestrated, among the clergy of Atlanta, Georgia, for them to speak about religion and science on Earth Day. Dr. Durley truly believes that for the environment to be saved the educational, scientific, business, political and religious communities must join forces and agree on positive actions for immediate, constructive change.

Dr. Gerald L. Durley was born in Wichita, Kansas. He grew up in California and graduated from high school in Denver, Colorado. Being endowed with exceptional basketball skills and a deep interest in improving the civil and human rights of African Americans, Dr. Durley chose to leave the west and venture south to Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee.

While earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, playing on a championship basketball team, and serving as student government president, he became very active in the civil rights movement. After graduating, Dr. Durley became one of the first Peace Corp volunteers to enter Nigeria, West Africa. From Africa he ventured to Switzerland where he enrolled in postgraduate studies at the University of Neuchantel. While there, he was invited to play for one of the Swiss National basketball teams.

When he returned to the United States, Dr. Durley enrolled in Northern Illinois University where he again became intensely involved in the struggle for human dignity, and earned one of the first Masters Degrees in Community Mental Health. He assisted in the founding of the Afro-American Cultural Organization whose goal was to teach minorities about their heritage. Upon graduation, he remained in Dekalb, Illinois as an administrator, counselor, professor, recruiter, Director of Black Studies and liaison between Black students on campus and in the town of Dekalb. Recognizing his sincerity for positive change, the U.S. Office of Education invited him to move to Washington, D.C. and become Assistant Branch Chief of Pupil Personnel Services. A compelling desire to be even better prepared dictated that Dr. Durley enter the University of Massachusetts and earn a Doctorate Degree in Urban Education and Psychology.

The Institute for Services to Education, Inc. invited Dr. Durley to direct many of its major projects working with historically black colleges and universities. He later founded and became president and CEO of Perspectives International, Inc. to produce positive, constructive programs for African Americans and other minority’s communities. Having been a dedicated educator, an effective psychologist, a nationally sought after motivational speaker, Dr. Durley was gravely disturbed by the decaying moral, social and family value systems throughout the nation. He enrolled at Howard University and earned a Master of Divinity Degree.

Combining the disciplines of psychology and religion, Dr. Durley moved to Atlanta, Georgia and accepted the position as Director of the Counseling Center at Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University). He later became Dean of Student Affairs at Clark Atlanta University. His concern for families and children encouraged him to accept the Executive Directorship of the Head Start Program for Fulton and Douglas Counties in Georgia. Realizing that the spirit and mind must work in concert with the physical body, Dr. Durley joined the faculty at the Morehouse School of Medicine as the Director of the Health Promotion Resource Center.

Check out the other tour speakers here