Ladies First! Elevating Women in the 21st Century Rutgers University March 30th

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Ladies First! Elevating Women in the 21st Century
Monday March 30, 2009 5:30 pm EDT
Rutgers University’s Bove Auditorium at Engelhard Hall

In celebration of Women’s History Month (March), The Hip Hop Association, in partnership with The Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development at Rutgers Business School – Newark and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, will host a lively panel discussion on female social entrepreneurs for Women’s History Month entitled: Ladies First! Elevating Women in the 21st Century. The panel consists of notable names in Hip Hop Culture such as Toni Blackman (Founder, Lyrical Ambassador/ Echoing Green Fellow), Rise Wilson (Founder, The Laundromat Project/ Echoing Green Fellow), Jamilah B Creekmur (VP of Marketing, Allhiphop.com), Dr. Roxanne Shante (Pioneer MC, Founder, Hip-Hop Ices), and Dawn Lewis, (Founder, Pooka Pure and Simple). The discussion will be moderated by Martha Diaz (President and Founder, Hip-Hop Association/Catherine B. Reynolds Fellow).

With recent media discussion about the rise of the “Fempire,” the panel brings about a much-needed discourse for female empowerment and community building during this historical month for women. Academic, community and cultural leaders will focus on empowering women through education and economic development. Panelists and participants will speak candidly about their challenges, mission, journey, and the opportunities that exist to support this movement.

After the panel discussion, Dr. Jeffrey Robinson (Assistant Director, The Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development; Assistant Professor of Management & Global Business) supported by Martha Diaz will facilitate a workshop that will offer guidance for project ideas to those who are in the beginning stages of creating social enterprise. The goal of the panel is to provide information to those who are looking to build a company dedicated to empowerment and social outreach for the betterment of the community.

In addition to promoting community-oriented women for social justice, the Hip Hop Association will unveil the Ladies First Fund, a social entrepreneurship fellowship given to women who are engulfed in community organizing and social justice. Grantees must have creative solutions for issues that affect women, such as domestic violence, homelessness, and illiteracy. Grantees must also develop a community based project in Newark, NJ within a year while under the advisement of the Hip Hop Association. The Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development at Rutgers Business School – Newark has agreed to provide a work site as well as professional development support for the winning grantees.