Rev. Al Sharpton & Kevin L — Stepson of the Legendary Ray Charles — Tackle the Politics of Hip-Hop with The H13 Project

New York, NY (October 11, 2007)—Reverend Al Sharpton, former Presidential candidate and one of the leading civil rights advocates in the country, along with Kevin L, the emerging, highly-acclaimed BK Music recording artist who combines gospel, soul, and rap to create a refreshing, universal sound, cross the country to initiate peace, end violence, and advance the entertainment industry's next generation, one city at a time, through the H13 Project.

These two enterprising men—one of church and civil rights origin, and the other born into musical greatness—have come together to represent the tradition of Christian faith in the eyes of American society. Through their collaborative efforts on the H13 Project, an alliance has been formed that will take them across the country to heal the nation from the devastations plaguing our communities, including gun violence, police brutality, and racial inequality.

The H13 Youth Outreach Project, a non-profit 501-c charity, aims to make peace popular by directing uplifting and encouraging messages at our youth.

Initiative 1: "Make Peace Popular"

    * To use the same format and marketing practices in "Making Peace Popular" that are used in glamorizing the "thug" and "gangster" mentality.
    * To utilize a marketing campaign via the streets, radio, television, and all media/ advertising avenues to the promote Peace Packs that will be issued to students at all rallies. The Peace Packs, as part of the clothing line and merchandising opportunities, will include items from BK Music and H13 Project sponsors.

Initiative 2: "School and Community Peace Rallies"

    * To visit schools and community organizations nationally to interact directly with students via musical performances, lectures from celebrities, Peace Pack giveaways (which will include the backpack, t-shirt, positive/ clean music, Kevin L's EPK, etc.)
    * To hold 'block parties' in six major cities throughout the school year. Prominent government officials will be on hand as H13's Ambassadors of Peace, alongside major recording artists, comedians, and sports figures, to speak at each event on their commitment to annihilating violent behavior and negative peer pressure within their communities. This leg of the campaign will kick-off in Newark (NJ), continuing into Chicago (IL), Atlanta (GA), Washington (DC), Baltimore (MD), and Philadelphia (PA).

Initiative 3: "Empowering Youth with Tools of the Trade"

    * To furnish students with the media tools required to develop individuality, interests, and positive roles in their community (music, films, television program, etc). The H13 Project will provide the hardware (computers, video cameras, lighting equipment, etc) and software products that will teach students the necessary skills for media creation. This donation will be accompanied by tutorials led by entertainment industry professionals (record producers, film directors, screenwriters, songwriters, etc).
    * Follow-up to this investment will allow for growth opportunities for committed youth, including internships and mentorship programs through sororities, fraternities, college alumni associations, community organizations, and other prominent entities.

Reverend Al Sharpton is the President of the National Action Network (NAN) and one of America's most-renowned civil rights leaders. As the head of one of the most well-known civil rights organizations, which boasts over forty chapters and affiliates across the United States, Rev. Sharpton has challenged the American political establishment to be inclusive to all people regardless of race, gender, class, or beliefs. Rev. Sharpton has spent his life rejuvenating the Civil Rights movement while raising the bar for political participation for people of color. Utilizing his religious convictions as the basis for his life, Rev. Sharpton runs NAN, hosts a talk show on Syndication One Radio and "Sharptalk" on TV One, and still finds time to fight the injustice of the Jena 6 and Sean Bell crises.

Kevin L is part of a long musical lineage as the stepson of world icon Ray Charles and soulfully, he delivers a message of hope and resilience to listeners of all genres. Conscious of where he has been and how far he still has to travel, Kevin L has launched a multi-faceted campaign that couples his musical efforts with the creation of a clothing line, Stranger Gear, and the initiation of the H13 Project. Collectively, these efforts, like his participation in Jena 6, intend to support and heal urban communities, while creating more opportunities for social growth amongst the youth.

Confirmed dates and cities will be announced.

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For Kevin L & The H13 Project, contact:

Quwania J.

Double XXposure Media Relations

212.629.9404

Malcolm Lett 

Publicist

Double XXposure Media Relations

212.629.9404

For Rev. Al Sharpton, contact:      

Rachel Noerdlinger

Vice President of Communications

Reverend Al Sharpton Media

212.876.5444