HHSYC – Projects and Programs

1.  ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM
The purpose of this program is to inform our participants about the Hip-Hop Culture and provide an alternative education to students, dropouts, at-risk youth and/or those under criminal justice supervision.  We offer a variety of courses, workshops and forums that will educate participants on the many facets that drive the multi-billion-dollar Hip-Hop industry which include: Introduction to Hip-Hop; How to be a DJ; The Art of Rapping; The Art of Graffiti; The Art of Break Dancing; Hot to Start a Record or Production Company; How to Market a Hip-Hop Artist; How to become a Hip-Hop Manager.  Through these activities we will prepare them for internships, training programs, career and entrepreneurial opportunities, as well as encourage them to graduate from school, get their G.E.D. and/or pursue higher education.

2.  WORLD OF AUDIO & VIDEO TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
This program will help participants acquire the skills needed to pursue internships, training programs, educational, career and entrepreneurial opportunities in the fields of audio and video technology.  They will learn about music and video production, multi-camera setups, editing, mixing, special effects, lighting techniques, budgets, script and treatment development.  Participants will produce a demo recording and/or music video.  We will assist them in pursuing professional recording, film and video opportunities.

3. HIP-HOP AGAINST DRUGS PROGRAM
Participants will be taught the consequences of Substance Abuse, possessing and selling drugs.  Celebrities and Elected officials will visit schools and produce a series of Public Service Announcements educating participants about the dangers of drugs.  Concert Tickets, CD’s, Meet & Greet Sessions with Celebrities and other Perks will be used to Reward Essay Contest winners and Participants who live a drug free life.  Selected participants will view two explosive anti-drug documentaries entitled “King of Kings (part 1)” and “Game Over (part 1)” which depict the rise and fall of some of New York City’s most notorious Drug Kingpins.

4.  ARTISTS, ACTORS, ATHLETES & AUTHORS AGAINST AIDS (A-TEAM)
The purpose of this program is to use the influence of Hip-Hop Artists, Actors, professional Athletes, Authors, Executives, HIV/AIDS service providers, Clergy, Elected Officials and Community Leaders to educate participants about topics concerning HIV/AIDS, Safe Sex, STD’s, and Teen Pregnancy.  Celebrities will visit schools, community agencies and produce PSA’s to increase the awareness of the virus.  A benefit concert will be arranged to raise funds for AIDS Service Organizations (ASO’s).

5.  CENTER 4 HOUSING IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
This project will provide safe and affordable housing for youths and young adults, as well as develop programs that will improve conditions in Public Housing.  By offering a variety of services we will help participants address their housing problems while working to improve Public Housing.

6.  HIP-HOP 4 BETTER HEALTH PROGRAM
The purpose of this program is to enlighten our participants about issues such as Health Education, Vitamins & Nutrition, Diet & Exercise, Preventive & Alternative Medicine, and Quality Healthcare Services.  Through our partnership with a host of Healthcare Organizations we will conduct Health Fairs, Conferences, Workshops and Forums to stress the importance of Good Health to our youth and their parents.  Artists and Record companies will reinforce the message of the project by Attending Events, Producing PSA’s, Disseminating Information, Sponsoring Health Contests, Doing PSA’s, and offering Awards & Prizes to participants who promote and practice good health habits.

7.  LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
This program will provide free legal services to participants and their families.  Through workshops, conferences and seminars we will enlighten participants about our Judicial and Criminal Justice System.  Through our association with the New York Legal Aid Society Scholarships and Internships will be awarded to participants who are interested in pursuing careers as Attorneys or in the Criminal Justice System.

8.  HIP-HOP 4 PEACE PROGRAM
The purpose of this project is to improve the image and unity within the Hip-Hop Community while reducing crime and violence in our schools, home and community. Celebrities, elected officials, community and business leaders will educate our youths about the consequences of illegal firearms, gang violence, criminal activities and war.   Celebrities will produce PSA’s, visit schools, youth centers, prisons and housing projects to reinforce our message and offer incentives to participants that help us in our efforts to reduce gun crimes, war and violence.  There will be support from our Artists & Student Mediation Board and Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Gang Violence Prevention.  Participants that are incarcerated, recently released from jail, on parole, probation or a work release program will have an opportunity to volunteer their time towards mentoring at-risk youth and mediating disputes that could lead to violence.

9.  READ 2 SUCCEED PROJECT
Through this project we will use Authors and Celebrities to promote the importance of literacy.  They will not only produce a series of Public Service Announcements but will also visit schools, bookstores, libraries and after-school programs to stress the importance of reading, writing and academic success.  Tutors will work with schools to improve reading scores.  Through this project we will provide Celebrity Meet & Greet Sessions, Tickets to Events, CD’s, X-Boxes, apparel and other prizes for Literacy Achievements and Essay Contest winners.  Through our affiliates and/or sponsors at FUBU, Display of Power Literacy Initiative, Hue-man Bookstore and Scholastic Books we will also deliver free books to selected Schools, community-based organizations, Libraries and reading programs citywide.

10.  COMMON SENSE SELF DEFENSE
Participants learn how to use basic martial arts skills in order to stay in shape, learn discipline, self-respect, the importance of a good diet, the art of avoiding trouble and how to defend themselves if attacked.  The younger students learn punching and kicking techniques while the older students learn more aerobic moves similar to Tae-Bo.

11.  PROJECT REBOUND
This project will use the positive influence of Professional Basketball Players and Hip-Hop artists to help participants achieve their academic goals, address social issues, pursue higher education and prepare for the "world of work."  NBA teams will help provide mentors, tutors, educational workshops, trips to basketball camps & tournaments, tickets to games, scholarships, awards and other incentives to deserving participants.  Selected Hip-Hop artists & players will attend Meet & Greet sessions and sign Autographs at the NBA Store in NYC, Sports Arenas, and other selected sites.

12.  HIP-HOP ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM (HEEP)
The purpose of this project is to reduce poverty in our communities by preparing our participants for Employment, Training programs and Entrepreneurial opportunities.  Participants will learn about the “World of Work” and How to Start their Own Business through workshops, office visits and internship opportunities.  Participants will be taught resume writing, how to prepare for an interview, how to negotiate their salary, how to make a formal business presentation, etc.  In addition, financial seminars sponsored by the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and others will teach participants about “the World of Wall Street,” Money & Debt Management, Building Credit, Investment & Estate Planning, Stocks, Bonds, Credit Cards, Taxes, Wills, etc.  Corporate Executives, Celebrities, Elected Officials, and Community Leaders will help reinforce the message and goals of the program.

13.  HIP-HOP & POLITICS PROJECT
Participants will learn how the quality of life in their School, Home and Community is influenced by Politics.  Elected officials and Hip-Hop Artists will help stress the importance of Voter Education, Registration and Participation.  Participants will be educated on topics concerning the Constitution, Political System and Lawmaking processes.  They will visit City Hall, offices of elected officials and selected government agencies.  We will be conducting ongoing voter registration drives to register new voters year round and reinforce the goals of the Raptivism movement.

14.  HIP-HOP SUPPORTS THE MDG's PROJECT
Participants will learn about: the United Nations; World Politics; the Millennium Development Goals; UN Resolutions and how they are passed.  Programs and projects that address the MDG's will be developed and/or supported.

15.  DANCE STREET CRUSADE PROGRAM
Offering Ballet, Hip-Hop, Modern, Classical, Tap, African and other Dance Techniques. Modeling, Acting and Singing lessons are taught.