The Florida A&M University Student Government Association and Hip Hop Grub Spot Presents the 3rd Annual State of the Black Student Summit

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA, March 10, 2009 – Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Student Government Association (SGA) along with the Florida State University Black Student Union will present the Third Annual State of the Black Student Summit on April 2 through April 3, 2009 in Gaither Gymnasium. This year’s theme is “The Pursuit: How Obama and Hip-Hop Can Renew America’s Promise.”

The two-day event will feature workshops and two panel discussions ranging in topics from Hip-Hop’s influence on politics to the business of Hip-Hop and its economic impact on entrepreneurship and pop culture. Confirmed panelists include Chuck Creekmur, Co-CEO of AllHipHop.com; Ryan Ford, Director of Creative Strategy at the Cashmere Agency; Joshua Fahiym Ratcliffe, President Hip Hop Grub Spot and Former Editor-in-Chief of The Source Magazine; Donna Brazille, Democratic Strategist; Sha Money XL of G-Unit; Tony Shellman, Co-founder of Parish Nation clothing (Enyce and Mecca); 25-year old Tony Payton, Jr., Democrat Pennsylvania House of Representatives; Amy Andrieux, General Manager of The Source Magazine; Woodie White, Global Brand Manager for LRG; Jacques-Philippe Piverger as Principal Investor at AIG Investments and Co-Founder of The Council of Urban Professionals; Corey Boddie, Entertainment Attorney (Jermaine Dupri and Beyonce); and Lee Hawkins, Journalist for CNBC and the Wall Street Journal.

“The State of the Black Student Summit was first presented to the campus community by SGA in 2005 as a vehicle by which our students could access the wisdom and unique experiences of accomplished intellectuals, artists, and innovators,” says Andrew Collins, FAMU’s student body president and university trustee.

Hip-Hop Grub Spot, the title sponsor for the event and the first hip-hop themed healthy food franchise, expressed their excitement about their involvement with The Summit. Joshua Fahiym Ratcliffe, president of Hip-Hop Grub Spot and former editor-in-chief of Source Magazine states, “This is a great opportunity for everyone involved, because it will show how Hip-Hop can be a tool of progress for its most important stakeholders, the students.” Other corporate sponsors include Red Bull, Myspace, and The Source Magazine.

“This is the first time the two universities have come together for an event of this magnitude. We are really excited about the event,” Marcus Winder, Florida State University Black Student Union co-chair for the Summit.

“We are very excited for a chance to partner with SGA to bring an array of distinguished guests that can not only speak, but deliver real opportunities for our students in the forms of internships,” says Sean Mitchell, Florida A&M University Student Government Co-chair of The Summit.

The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. For more information, contact Co-chair, Kianta Key at sbss08@gmail.com. For corporate sponsorship or guest information, contact Co-chair, Sean Mitchell at sbss.sponsorship@gmail.com.

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