Montgomery Village, MD – The Youth Development and Research Fund, former operators of The Source Youth Foundation launches a hip-hop cd project : Strength of a Nation, Vol 2. With the target out-of-school youth, ages 14 – 24 enrolled in our nations job training and education programs, YDRF is seeking to reach a population that many educators described as unreachable.
Strength of a Nation 2 (SON2) No One Deserve to Be Left Behind, is a project inspired by thousands of out-of-school youth in the struggle trying to get up out of the struggle.
YDRF has been long-standing advocate for the Hip-Hop Generation through research, policy, and the development of innovative programs for government agencies, private foundations and community based organizations across the country. It is YDRFs mission to make a positive difference in the lives of the hip-hop Generation. A division of YDRF, Alive and Free Records will handle the project and produce music that is geared to inspire and up-lift the Hip-Hop Generation.
YDRF has been directly involved with the hip-hop community for sometime. As the former operators of the Source Youth Foundation, YDRF produced the Hip-Hop Image Awards where influential individuals in the Hip Hop were honored for their contributions to their communities and for their dedication to the transformation of the publics negative perception of Hip Hop. Some of the recipients of this award were LL Cool J, Shaquille O’Neal, Master P, Crazy Legs, Darryl Huckabee and others. As a result of these initiatives, the hip-hop community received more than 20 news reports about the positive power of our culture.
We feel that Strength of a Nation 2 will be successful in providing a national outlet to help youth promote life, freedom, and future economic opportunity. Moreover, it is a great platform to get youth involved in speaking about the issues that affect their future economic success, states YDRF President, Edward DeJesus.
With a network of more than 1,000 youth service organizations in 38 states, YDRF anticipates more than 200 programs will register for this very important effort with more than 10,000 youth directly impacted by the contest.
Commencing in September 2006, registered programs can start submitting tracks from students with a satisfactory level of participation. All Hip-Hop tracks should focus on the challenges faced by out-of-school youth while achieving their personal, educational, and occupational goals. Each month, YDRF will post reviewed, submitted tracks on www.YDRF.com for listening pleasure. Registered programs will receive YDRF signature activities to use in conjunction with selected songs. These activities will focus on raising student awareness of issues that affect their socio-economic life chances. One of the tracks will be selected based on a review team of YDRF PSWs and staff to receive a $500 developmental scholarship* and be scheduled to appear on the SON2 Project to be released in June 2007.
Artist must adhere to the following rules:
-All music must be free of excessive vulgarity
-No samples, all original music
-Producers as well as artist must sign license agreement
-Lyrics must be attached to submitted song
SON 2 is already creating a buzz among the Youth Service Community. Eugene Bell form Madera California states, our youth are excited to be part of such an activity.
On another note, DeJesus is hoping that youth who are not out-of school and not enrolled in a program will use this opportunity to seek educational and employment services. We have 5,4 million out of school youth in the U.S. , DeJesus remarks. Yet we only have 250,000 program slots, which many remain unfilled. DeJesus and his team at YDRF are using SON 2 as a way to connect those youth who are disconnected with the programs and services that they need the most.
For more information of SON 2 visit www.ydrf.com or call Anthonie Jackson at 301-216-2566 ext 2.
Contact: Ed DeJesus: 301-216-2566 ext 1
