Ohio State to host statewide Hip-Hop Summit on June 3

COLUMBUS – The “OHIO Hip-Hop Summit – 2004,” a statewide youth voter registration effort, will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday (June 3) at The Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Drive. The event is free but a ticket is required for admission. Doors will open at 9 a.m.

The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) will feature rap mogul Russell Simmons and some of the top hip-hop artists in the industry in a non-partisan voter registration and education summit. Founded in 2001 by Simmons and civil rights veteran Benjamin Chavis, the goal of HSAN’s Ohio summit is to register as many voters in the state between the ages of 18 and 40. To receive a ticket, one is not required to register to vote.

Larry Williamson, director of the Frank W. Hale Black Cultural Center at Ohio State, and State Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, are the statewide coordinators. Williamson said Ohio State was chosen as the site of the summit for an important reason.

“Ohio State is the second largest campus in the country with just over 50,000 students on our campus,” Williamson said. “That represents a significant voting block and we are proud to participate in an effort that encourages students to not only register to vote but to take an active role in their communities.”

Chavis, president of HSAN, has organized approximately 23 summits across the country over the past three years.

“Ohio is one of the most important states this year for youth voter registration,” Chavis said. “The Ohio Hip-Hop Summit will positively increase youth involvement in political and cultural activism.”

Partnering with Ohio State are Radio One Columbus (WCKX-FM), PlayStation 2, Columbus State Community College, the Columbus Urban League, and state and local elected officials.

Voter registration forms and tickets are available at various locations in Columbus, including the Hale Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave., HSAN local headquarters, 29 S. High St. and the Columbus Urban League, 788 Mt. Vernon Ave.

For additional information, call the Hale Cultural Center (614) 292-0074, the HSAN hotline (614) 477-8549 or the Columbus Urban League (614) 257-6300. Information also is available at http://www.hsan.org/