Helping young minds strategically actualize their destiny

Just wanted to share these shots with you. We are headed there now. We are always in need to donations to help make what we do happen. If you are an individual or a business who wants to help a nonprofit 501c3 continue to serve young people tools to thrive, email bishop@hiphopchessfederation.org today.

Working with kids keeps me young in mind and body. Youth inspire me.

I am often asked about how I relate to kids. How do I communicate with them? How do I get them to listen? I'm sometimes told how youthful I look (I'm pre-geezer status). People wonder how I keep my patience with kids. What many fail to see is that, its all related. The kids keep me youthful. 

The truth is, being around kids is easier than it looks. More than that, being around kids keeps me youthful in mind and body. My mind stays playful. Seeing how kids think, play, communicate with one another, compete, laugh, eat- everything a child does is a lesson (if you are paying attention). Next tiume you are feeling out of shape or out of touch with the youth, go talk to some kids. Play a game of chess, swing on a sing, kick a ball around, allow yourself to laugh from a true place. You will feel better and get fit fast- I promise. 

                                This youngster is legally blind, but he has love and skill for chess. This was
                                 taken shortly before the end of the days camp. I'm hoping to get him to
                                take judo at Willy Cahill or SJ State. This kids got it.

One of our HHCF volunteer mentors playing as student looks on. 

                                Because of donations by local community members, rap artists and others
                                HHCF was able to scholarship kids like these two for HHCF Live
                                The Game Summer Camp.
                                Both loved the game of chess and took quickly to learning the fundamentals.
                                We are thankful to them and others who make chess possible
                                for HHCF kids across The Bay Area. San Jose has a huge problem with youth                                             violence and we are trying to be part of the solution.

A look back at how Hip-Hop Chess Federation began...

We really started from the bottom. Very little help. This was our first big event. After getting kicked outta libraries and being stuffed in community centers. So crazy.

 But we have always been thankful to all the people who have helped us over the years. People forget how we got here, and the artists who made it possible. This was not easy and going to the next level as we are right now is no walk in the park. So, we wanted to take a moment to thank all of our supporters (no matter how little they gave or how long ago it was), up to right now. We appreciate you ALL.

Shout out to Al Bravo for putting this clip together when nobody really wanted to cover us. 

This man helps poor children with jiu jitsu, how lovely

If this does not change your mind about the power of how jiu jitsu changes lives...you could be blind...

A look at popular chess openings and tactics with GM Varuzhan Akobian

Talib Kweli raps amazing on "Distractions"

Distractions are fatal on a chessboard, a jiu jitsu mat and a mic when you are battling.

Much respect to Talib Kweli.

CTRL Industries & HHCF Present Rook II Video "A Technical Flow"

This is a video celebrating the fusion of chess and jiu jitsu by CTRL Industries clothing and the nonprofit 501(c)3 Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF). The song "A Technical Flow" by Kalhi illustrates the powerful connections between chess and jiu jitsu. CTRL Industries makes premium kimonos and t-shirts for those who love the jiu jitsu lifestyle. The HHCF fuses music, chess and martial arts to promote unity, strategy and nonviolence to at-risk, gang impacted and gang intentional youth. 

"Chess is jiu jitsu for the mind. Jiu Jitsu is chess for the body" is a teaching from HHCF founder, Adisa Banjoko

The essence of the story is the journey of the student Yin Dumela (white belt in the white gi) learn the essence of technique from is instructor David "Canada" McLeod (black belt in the black gi). The represent the beginning and the ending of the path in jiu jitsu. The chessboard serves as a secondary tool for the student to understand his lessons on the mat. More than chess or jiu jitsu, this video is about the friendship between a student and his teacher. This video was written by HHCF Founder, Adisa Banjoko and Chris Nguyen. It was shot at Heroes Martial Arts in San Jose, CA by Chris Nguyen and edited by Christine Nguyen for Christine Anne Nguyen Photography. 

The song "A Technical Flow" was preformed by Kalhi profuced by Joey Wunluv and mixed and mastered by Lawjazz. A complete version of "A Technical Flow " will be released on the Hip-Hop Chess Federation digital mixtape Street Games Vol. 1 in October of 2013. More of his music can be found on soundcloud.com/eloquence510. 

Follow them on Twitter @CTRLindustries @NightkidsGTR and @Hiphopchess 

HHCF Announces Street Games Vol. 1 Digital Mixtape (submit your song today!)

For Immediate Release

Contact: Bishop

888-588-4418

A-Plus from Hieroglyphics and Rakaa Iriscience from Dilated Peoples on Deck for Street Games Vol. 1 Digital Mixtape

Hip-Hop Chess Federation Taking Submissions for Digital Mixtape

July 5th 2013 San Francisco, CA- The Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) the first nonprofit to fuse music, chess and martial arts to promote unity, strategy and nonviolence has announced it is currently taking submissions for its first digital mixtape Street Games Vol. 1. “The goal of this mixtape is to show the musical  and intellectual depth of Hip-Hop” said HHCF Founder Adisa Banjoko. “There will be a few songs on here about chess and jiu jitsu, but the bulk of the music will be just rap bangers from across the planet.” Street Games Vol. 1 will be a blend of music from established MC’s as well as teens and young adults who are new to the scene.” All MP3 submissions for Street Games Vol. 1. can be sent directly to HHCF Founder, Adisa Banjoko to bishop@hiphopchessfederation.org .

Street Games Vol. 1 will be taking submissions from July 5th 2013, to August 30th 2013.  The release date is Oct. 2013. The topic and subject matter is wide open. The HHCF is seeking submissions of Hip-Hop music and all other genres of music. “We don’t want to limit anybody's creativity. If it is powerful, we will play it.” said Adisa “ Our only rules are that its curse free, glorify violence or be super sexually explicit. Buzz on the mixtape already has gotten us dope submissions from New York, Seattle, St. Louis, San Jose and San Francisco.”

A-Plus from Hieroglyphics will be hosting the mixtape that will also feature artists like Rakaa Iriscience from Dilated Peoples, Asheru, DJ Pam The Funkstress from The Coup,  T-KASH, battle MC Shamako Noble, DLabrie and special guests yet to be announced. “We will have some surprises on here from true legends as well” said Adisa. Additionally All Tribes Zulu Nation and San Jose Zulu Nation Chapters will be working directly with HHCF in the talent search for Street Games Vol. 1.

NYC DJ Rob Flow will be producing Street Games Vol. 1. Additional production and recording will be done in partnership between HHCF and Ronnie Lee,  the Seven Trees Studio Director in San Jose California. For more information on the HHCF or Street Games Vol. 1 digital mixtape  visit www.hiphopchess.blogspot.com or follow on twitter @hiphopchess.

About Hip-Hop Chess Federation: The Hip-Hop Chess Federation is the first nonprofit to fuse music, chess and martial arts to promote unity, strategy and nonviolence. They host celebrity chess events and panels of life strategies for at-risk, gang impacted and gang intentional youth. Artists like RZA and GZA from Wu-Tang Clan, The Jacka, Immortal Technique, Asheru,  Zion I, DJ Qbert, Dilated Peoples, Hieroglyphics and many others have participated in their events. Founder Adisa Banjoko has presented at Harvard University and World Chess Hall of Fame on how chess, martial arts and music promote peace in the streets in 2013. Visit their official website at www.hiphopchessfederation.org .