HIP-HOP TAKES OVER NETROOTS NATION Hip-Hop minds convene to highlight the political power of young urban America
On Friday, July 23rd, starting at 3pm PDT at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV, many of urban America’s strongest young minds will come together to infuse the fifth annual Netroots Nation conference with hip-hop sensibilities. Cashmere Agency’s Director of Creative Strategy and former Executive Editor of The Source Magazine Ryan Ford, Vibe.com’s Managing Editor Chloe Hilliard, Bossip.com’s Senior Editor Janee Bolden and Allhiphop.com’s Co-Founder Chuck Creekmur will share the stage to discuss ways to engage the urban blogosphere in the civic process. Moderating the panel will be the League of Young Voters Education Fund’s Executive Director Biko Baker, a hip-hop journalist turned political activist who helms a national organization with a track record of organizing the civic power of young urban America.
“In 2008, young urban voters turned out in record numbers,” says Biko Baker, who prior to becoming LYVEF’s Executive Director served as The Source’s Political Correspondent. “But right now we aren’t claiming our power as a generation. We share a lot of problems across our communities and we need to stay engaged with each other, especially online.”
From July 22nd-25th, The 2010 Netroots Nation will feature panels led by many national and international experts, as well as prominent political, issue and policy-oriented speakers. With representatives from the biggest cultural and political websites in America, Netroots Nation 2010 will be the most concentrated gathering of progressive bloggers to date.