BET NETWORKS HOSTS TWO POWERFUL PANEL DISCUSSIONS
AT CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY IN SUPPORT OF
THE 2008 “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18
NEW YORK — October 9, 2008 — BET Networks today announced it will be hosting two powerful panel discussions at Clark Atlanta University on Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18 during the BET HIP HOP AWARDS weekend in Atlanta.
In the midst of the current crisis in the American economy, BET Networks will be partnering with the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Enterprise Rent-A-Car to deliver crucial information to young people about how to manage their finances in this volatile market, and the best way to get out of debt and keep themselves out of debt, with the “Get Your Money Right” Summit on Financial Empowerment. This grassroots effort helps to engage young people in discussions about the importance of personal finance and will feature an interactive panel discussion on financial literacy, including such topics as the basics of banking, repairing and understanding credit scores, asset and wealth management, vehicle financing and home ownership. The discussion will take place at Clark Atlanta University on Friday, October 17 from 5:00-7:00 p.m., and panelists will include Russell Simmons, Ludacris, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, 106 & PARK’s Terrence and Rocsi, Fat Joe, Yung Berg, Brian Michael-Cox, Monica, Gorilla Zoe and DJ Drama.
In addition to the financial literacy summit, BET Networks will also be hosting a town hall discussion called “Fly Girls Vote: Hip Hop Women for Change” at Clark Atlanta University on Saturday, October 18 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. From Sojourner Truth to Sista Soulja, Harriet Tubman to Shirley Chisholm, and now to Michelle Obama, women of color have had an illustrious legacy in American politics, and not since the civil rights movement has it been so critical for black people and people of all colors to get involved in the political process.
The dynamic “Fly Girls Vote” town hall will speak directly to the women of the hip-hop generation and feature a diverse group of panelists, special performances by Black Kold Medina (Trouble the Water), graffiti-style art and a lively Q&A discussion. The panel will be hosted by hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte and moderated by cultural critic and journalist Michaela angela Davis, and panelists include Tricia Rose, professor of Africana Studies at Brown University, activist Moya Bailey, and more. The “Fly Girls Vote” program will also feature a clip from the award-winning documentary Chisholm 72: Unbought & Unbossed, followed by a Q&A discussion with director Shola Lynch and moderated by noted journalist Lola Ogunnaike.
“We’re so excited to bring the BET HIP HOP AWARDS back to Atlanta for the third year in a row, and we couldn’t be more thrilled about partnering with these organizations for these timely and important panel discussions about financial literacy and the role women of color play in politics,” said Debra L. Lee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, BET Networks. “BET Networks has always had a strong commitment to educating and empowering our audience, and these two forums will provide our audience with a unique and engaging opportunity to discuss and learn about two of the most critical issues of today.“