Tuesday night's town hall meeting far exceeded many's expectations, but not mine. From day one....I've always said that Baltimore's Hip Hop community is comprised of some of the realest, most insightful people I've ever met and you did not let me down. * For me....and hopefully you....Tuesday night demonstrated the fact that you are not alone. By you ....I mean those of you that have been ready to do something but afraid to jump out there "commando-style" for fear that you'd be alone or that no one would respect your efforts. * I've been there too. * We are all in one way or another connected. We are all in one way or another concerned about the same issues.
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Now....we must start thinking and living in that way. An altering of our individual and collective thinking will go a long way to improving the standing and influence of our city.....particularly it's arts community (Hip Hop music included).
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If I had to define the collective thinking of those that assembled last night (though expressed differently by everyone that spoke): Let's work together to create a Better Baltimore *
If I had to express the collective solution proposed by those that assembled last night: The first step and biggest testimony to your committment is showing up. * No one is going to make any one of you do anything. The only thing that is going to be asked of you is to be present. Not just at a Town Hall Meeting, but in life in general. Baltimore needs us all to grow up. Baltimore's problems did not arise over night. Nor can they be fixed over night. No one is more to blame - those causing the "problems" vs. those who do nothing at all, but constantly complain. *
We must feel "something" about the condition of our city....and not just disgust. The "I Don't Care" attitude has gotten us no where...real slow. * Im sorry that the minutes are still not ready......just need a lil more time. Anyone that wants to volunteer to take some of the burden off of me.....holla. In the meantime....check out Shaka Pitts Recap program that aired on his blogcast the same night. He and his callers will give you a good sense of the tone of the discussion. I want to publically thank Shaka Pitts and everyone else ( G Major - THANKS a million!, Wildchild DNA, Verses.com, etc.) for your selflessness. Your efforts no doubt went a long way towards making this event the monumental occasion it turned out to be. * Special thanks to all of the members of the Hip Hop generation (particularly the non rappers) that came out and supported this very worthwhile cause despite your reservations. I can't remember everyone...nor did I know everyone (which is a good is a good sign - for now) ....... if I forget to name you specifically blame it on my memory...not my heart. *
Special thanks to Ogun......thank you for listening to me rant over the last couple of years.....and especially the last few weeks. Your advice, support and extra "efforts" did not go unnoticed. You always come through for me. Thank you Mr. Doni Glover of BMORENews.com (publisher//radio host//political analyst) for your enthusiam and optimism. Thank you so very much for your support. I look forward to the opportunity to build with you. Please check out the site for his recap. * Solomon of the 5 SEASONS is such a great friend of the Baltimore Hip Hop scene. His unwavering support of this movement does not go unnoticced. It is always a pleasure to work with the 5 Seasons mgmt/staff. Solomon was the gracious host .....served us a very tasty Morracan meal. * Rev Heber Brown III it was so nice to finally meet you. Thank you so much for coming and blessing us with your divine energy. It meant so much that you stayed until the end. I admire and respect many of your positions and much of what you say on your blog is on point. I Look forward to the opportunity to work with you - What ever I can do to assist. excerpt from his blog post regarding the meeting: "As we left the 5 Seasons, lightning and torrential rain showered the city as if to water the budding seeds of revolutionary ideas and cultivate the continued growth of necessary alliances. The thunder served as divine war drums announcing the onset of a new generation of activists who will earn their scars while battling injustice in the suites and streets of Baltimore" Big Ups to city council members that sent representation:
Brandon Scott - Youth Community Liaison for City Counsel President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
The Youth Outreach Coordinator from the office of counselman James B. Kraft (District 1) * Big Ups to youth action networks that sent representation:
Mark Hart, community contact, for BEN (for Baltimore Education Network). * Jill Warzer (Baltimore Creates Campaign to Restore Arts Education to Every Student)
* COR - Munir (Metal attuity - Men's group that meets every Saturday Morning at Lake Montebello Resorvoir @ 8:30 AM sharp for intense workouts) * Maryland Shaw and the other dynamic young people of the Baltimore Algebra Project. Thank you for showing us a thing or two about fighting for something you believe in. I did a little homework on them..... WOW! it is an honor to assist you all in anyway that I (personally) can. I so appreciate and admire them for coming out and letting us know of ways that we can lend our support. * Big Ups to various crews/squads/labels/etc that spoke from the heart: * Sonny Reddz (Hip Hop Artist representing BALTIMORE AS A WHOLE!!) * * Killah Kab (Hip Hop artist representing "F.M., C.B., Welding Ent") * Midas (Hip Hop Artist representing Team Green) * Yonte (Producer representing Groundbreaking Ent) * Raf (Hip Hop Artist representing Dirt Platoon) * Rip the Ruler (Hip Hop Artist representing Derylic Ent) * Cee (Label Head representing Charm City Records) * Mr. Wilson (Label Head//Hip Hop Artist//Promoter representing Star Status Ent) * Shaka Pitts (Engineer//Label Head representing The Spitters Club Network//Baritones//Organized Music Fam) Mic Viper (representing Welding Productions) Big Patch (representing Golden Boy Productions) Rahsaan (REPRESENTIN! made some of the most poignant comments of the evening - "No child is lost.....someone left them") Ike Carter (Representing Head Nod Ent) MO Hammond (Representing Mo Hammond Productions) * Special shout out to all the good folk I saw in the audience, including: Ms. Tris Beats Beloved (DC transplant) Kelly Connelly (Music Monthly) Raw DOC Ent. B.O.M.B. Pop (Invisible Set Ent) * Chin-Yer (Please come out and support this lady's next project: The Baltimore Scene connecting the underground PRESENTS November 2, 2007@ The 5 Seasons Party and network with Bmore and help us choose and crown a winner) * The Lengendary DJ Rod Braxton Bunny and Tim of TOP OF THE HILL RECORDS Gambit Ray Victory (Nitelife Ent. Happy B-Day, silky!) Torcha (Dirty Nation//Streetz Magazine) The Profitt ONLY Jade Foxx OOH and B-Fly of Brown F.I.S.H. Civil Jones (Deleware Radio personality and creator of "Even a Man Can Do It" DVD) Dave the Barber Tislam the Great First Fam Ent's Chopper and Sonny Grams Bar Kardi (Kartel Ent) Chris B (Southpaw Ent) DJ 5 Starr B.O.M.B DJ Jabril + His Family Kita Murae Adrian Miller
Ave Perry
Brandon Bealack Lackey Stefon
Ebony Lawson (Hey Eb, I Saw You, But Didnt Get To Speak....Thanks For Coming!!)
Antonio Carpenter
Serena Holland
Block Hugga
Kemberly Kem
Mack Houston
Snapz
Joe (From Myspace)Eze JacksonSoul Cannon Tamika Thaniel Anthony Foster Modebiasi
Ben Forglener
Genny
Navy
Lucky Hands
Von Varcas
Sport Mills Blackroot Walid
Tonya T.Gunthrop Stephan Jones
Jaremiah The Last Prophet
Mexillence
Agent Orange
Rayvictory
Wigg(G.H.G.H. Music) * I will post the minutes as soon as they are typed up. None of the pics are flattering...LOL! chiiiile.....that's what I get for going to work on the same day as an event. Im not feelin em.....not feelin em. its all good....next meeting I may come in a ball gown and full make- up. Gotta see it to believe it....hoollllllllaaaaaa! |
