Yesterday, Russell Simmons, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Valeisha Butterfield, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) and Walmart announced the convening of a national Hip-Hop Summit on Financial Empowerment entitled "Get Your Money Right." The event will offer valuable and timely financial information from financial experts, celebrities and community leaders. Open to the public, the summit will take place on Sept. 12, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum, 1921 West Lee Street Greensboro, N.C. 27403 and in Houston, Texas on Oct. 17. A special in-store promotion of the summit will be held on Friday, Sept. 11 at the Walmart Superstore at 4:30 p.m. located at 4424 W. Wendover Ave.
Financial literacy is critical as multicultural communities are disproportionately impacted by the economic downturn. The African-American job loss exceeds one million as a result of the recession, representing more than 60 percent of the total increase in the number of those unemployed. The national unemployment rate for African-Americans reached 15 percent in April, its highest rate since June of 1986. According to North Carolina State University economist Michael Walden, North Carolina's unemployment rate was already one of the lowest in the United States at 11.1 percent, the rate will peak at an unprecedented 13 percent in the first quarter of 2010 before beginning to improve. Russell Simmons, chairman and co-founder of HSAN, pointed out, "Hip-Hop is about empowerment and transformation. Financial literacy is a fundamental key to financial empowerment. The 'Get Your Money Right' Hip-Hop Summit in Greensboro will be an excellent opportunity to receive invaluable information."
Confirmed artists and celebrities scheduled to participate in the Hip-Hop Summit on Financial Empowerment in Greensboro include; Russell Simmons, Rocsi of BET's 106 & Park, Lil Mo and Dr. Benjamin Chavis. 102 Jamz FM is the exclusive radio-partner for the Hip-Hop Summit in Greensboro.
