Here are just some of the highlights of the conference!

Friday, Oct. 29th – Educators’ Workshops @ FIU

Brimstone 127 of PATH

Educator Nicole Kelly teaching on the connection between Harriet Tuban and Hip Hop!

Jasiri X showing how to use his music and videos to teach on current events.

Hip Hop Dating Coach Jeff Carrol demonstrates about how to use the empowering voice of  Hip Hop to teach Character Education.

Arian “Poetess” Muhammad teaches a workshop on the power of words.

Friday Evening “Build Session” @ FIU

Saturday October 30th – Building in the Miami Community

@ Supreme Wisdom Bookstore in Liberty City

@ Artopia in Wynwood

@ The Historic Miami Graffiti Mural off of I95

@ Sweat Records in Little Haiti

“Build Session” @ Catalyst

 Contact:          Tony Muhammad

                                Vice-Chair Difference Makers, Inc.

                                 754-246-0222

                        organichiphopevent@yahoo.com

Difference Makers, Inc. Non-Profit Organization and the FIU African and African Diaspora Studies Graduate Students Association Present

The 2010 Organic Hip Hop Conference:

“Building a National Movement of Responsibility”

October 29th – 30th

MIAMI, Florida – For the past six years, The Organic Hip Hop Conference has become a leading voice in advocating healthy living through Hip Hop culture to the South Florida community.  Just as Hip Hop as a culture and movement was founded under the principle of saving the lives of the youth in the streets of the South Bronx in the 1970s, the legacy continues today, as the message of Organic Hip Hop is oriented towards setting new qualitative standards in the ways that we think, eat and act as individuals, families and communities.

Since 2004, the breadth of the conference has expanded.  It began as a lecture symposium coupled with a vegetarian banquet, conscientious entertainment and cultural venders at Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay.  Since then, it has turned into an annual staple experience for the community filled with workshops, film screenings, award ceremonies and concerts.  In recent years it has been held in key cultural South Florida locations; at the Miami Light Project’s Light Box near Wynnewood’s distinguished arts community (2008) and the historic African Cultural Arts Center in the heart of the Liberty City community (2009).  The conference has attracted people of different genres who seek to promote Hip Hop as a culture and force that can positively transform lives.  Past Organic Hip Hop events featured cultural and intellectual icon KRS One, Professor Griff of the famed Rap group Public Enemy, Queen Afua and Supa Nova Slom, Brother J (of X Clan), journalist Davey D, holistic dietician Dr. Laila O. Afrika and community leader Min. Rasul Muhammad.

The 7^th Annual Organic Hip Hop Conference will take place on October 29 – 30, 2010.  Unlike previous conferences, it will be a part of a larger national movement of collective responsibility among artists called the MIA (Music is Alive) Campaign.  Congruently, the theme of this year’s conference will be “Building a National Movement of Responsibility.”  Co-sponsoring the conference will be Difference Makers, Inc. Non-Profit Organization and the FIU African and African Diaspora Studies Graduate Students Association.

Day 1 of the conference (Friday, October 29) will be held at Florida International University’s Modesto Maidique Campus.  From 9 am to 3 pm, both public and private school educators are invited to partake in workshops demonstrating how to incorporate the empowering voice of Hip Hop in day to day classroom activities.  Workshop instructors include Organic Hip Hop Conference co-organizer Tony Muhammad, Hip Hop Chess Federation co-founder Adisa Banjoko, national recording artist behind the “Free the Jena 6” anthem Jasiri X. Smith, MIA Campaign founder Arian Muhammad AKA Poetess and PATH (Preserving, Archiving & Teaching Hip Hop History) founder Brimstone 127.

Workshop instructors will convene again at 7:30 pm for a panel discussion on the importance of “Building a National Movement of Responsibility” within Hip Hop.  Immediately following the panel discussion there will be a live band local artist showcase featuring J Phonnix; Laguardia; Mecca AKA Grimo; Lip, Tongue and Ears founder Shamelle Jenkins; Kimani Kenyatta; Big Babatunde; Orion and Lox the Rippa.  To attend please RSVP the AADS GSA by calling 305-348-4264.

Day 2 of the conference (Saturday, October 30) will be held at two locations.  The first portion will be held at the historic African Heritage Cultural Arts Center in Liberty City.  From 10 am to 2pm, youth as well as families are invited to participate in interactive workshops oriented towards healthy eating, thinking and living.  Workshop topics include “A New Diet for the Hip Hop Generation,” “Kemetic Yoga 101,” “The Value of the Spoken Word” and “Chess and the Martial Arts.”

On Saturday evening, MIA Campaign organizers will gather at Catalyst for a “Build Session” with Miami Hip Hop community leaders for the purpose of discussing how to develop and expand educational and cultural programs both locally and nationally.  Shortly following the “Build Session” attendees will engage in games of chess, checkers and dominos while local DJs spin smooth grooves and artists display their talents open mic style.

For more info, visit www.organichiphopevent.wordpress.com.

A BIG thank you to all who made the Organic Hip Hop Conference a major success this year! Here are some pictures for your enjoyment! If you have any comments, pictures or footage that you would like to share, please e-mail us at organichiphopevent@yahoo.com.  Stay tuned for upcoming Difference Makers/Organic Hip Hop events coming soon!

Day 1 – Award Ceremony & Key Note Address

Day 2 – Youth Summit

Day 2 – The Concert

“Survival Skills 101“

November 20 – 21, 2009

For Immediate Release 

For Immediate Release 

MIAMI, FL – 2009 marks the 6^th Anniversary of Organic Hip Hop. In numerology, the number 6 symbolizes peace, family and harmony, which are the principles that Organic Hip Hop have been founded upon.  In its mission to continue producing events that inspire practical and healthy thinking, eating and living in these troubling economic times, Organic Hip Hop 2009’s theme is “Survival Skills 101,” sponsored by Difference Makers Non-Profit Organization and Urban America Newspaper. 

For the past five years the Organic Hip Hop Conference has been a leading voice in advocating healthy living through Hip Hop culture. Birthed in activism, past Organic Hip Hop events featured KRS One, Professor Griff, Queen Afua and Supa Nova Slom, Brother J (of X Clan), Davey D, and Dr. Laila O. Afrika and promoted Hip Hop as a culture and force for local and global change.  

Organic Hip Hop 2009 begins on Friday, November 20^th at 7 PM in Miami’s historic African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, in the heart of Miami’s Liberty City community highlighted with a key note address by award-winning lecturer/author, martial artist and co-founder of the Hip Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) Adisa Banjoko.  In Banjoko’s devotion to youth programs (which are  being chopped and sacrificed nationwide) he states, “Despite the school system’s best efforts and intentions… the past generations have suffered from lack of suitable education and essential resources required for a successful life.”  He adds, “We recognize that chess, martial arts and hip-hop unify people from multiple cultural, religious and social backgrounds. These black and white squares do not care what color you are or if you are rich or poor. The only thing they ask is that you come with your strategy, your patience and your skills.” Banjoko’s address will center on the importance of developing tactful strategies for the survival of local communities and how important the growth and development of the youth are in community survival.  In addition to the keynote address, several Hip Hop pioneers, politicians, media, and community leaders will be honored for their work.  The Organic Hip Hop Honorees include Ray Dominguez of the Write Side Poets, DJ Snowhite, DJ Raw, Mecca AKA Grimo, Miami Light Project, Rep. James Bush, Jerry Rushin, Commissioner Dennis Moss and Bro. Rasul Hakim Muhammad of the Overtown Peace Makers Project.  Admission for the evening is $12 ($10 with two canned goods). As in past Organic Hip Hop Events, a delectable vegetarian dinner will be included with the admission fee.  Proceeds will benefit Difference Makers Non-Profit Educational Programs.   

The following morning, on Saturday, November 21 at 10 AM, Organic Hip Hop will host its very first Youth Summit.  The summit will be taking place at the landmark Dr. William A. Chapman House, in the parking lot of  Overtown’s historic Booker T. Washington Senior High School.  The summit will include a free “Chess as Life Strategy” workshop by Adisa Banjoko as well as presentations by community leaders dedicated to educating on practical urban farming and healthy living.  This event is sponsored by Difference Makers Non-Profit Organization, The Booker T. Washington Senior High School Chess Club, and Urban America Newspaper.  

The conference wraps up Saturday night at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center at 7 pm with an artist showcase highlighting great talent brewing in South Florida’s vibrant community.  Featured in the lineup are legendary poets The Sol Griots, Kimani Kenyata, and The Write Side Poets (of MTV fame). The Sasa African Dance Theatre will dazzle with their moves from the motherland and MCs La Guardia, LOX Tha Rippa, Coppa Stone, Emoni Love, Haiti Blues and Sekajipo will rock the mic (like it should be done.) The Heart Breakerz B-Girl Crew will add their acrobatic element to the extravaganza that is headlined by the female phenom Soulflower. On the turntables will be Brimstone 127.  Admission is $7 ($5 with two canned goods). Proceeds will benefit Difference Makers Non-Profit Educational Programs. This is a family friendly event and all are more than welcome.  

For vending and other information, visit www.organichiphopevent.wordpress.com, email organichiphopevent@yahoo.com, or call 754-246-0222.

This is the official blog for the Organic Hip Hop Conference, a Miami-based annual gathering dedicated to promoting healthy thinking, eating and living to local Urban communities.  Just as Hip Hop as a culture was birthed in activism with the goal of saving lives, we seek to continue in that tradition by providing an alternative lifestyle that will garner better physical as well mental and spiritual health. Our past key note speakers have included Queen Afua and Super Nova Slom, Davey D, Brother J of X-Clan, KRS-One, Dr. Laila O. Afrika and Professor Griff of Public Enemy.

We are in the process of organizing our 6th annual conference in November 2009.  Stay tuned for updates.  For now, enjoy these pictures highlighting the previous 5 years.  You can e-mail us at organichiphopevent@yahoo.com.

Tony Muhammad

Co-Founder

Organic Hip Hop Conference

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008