HHCF Raw Power Team wins USA National Championship!!!

HHCF "Raw Power" dance team took GOLD at USA Nationals in Anaheim a few weeks back. I'm very sorry for posting so late about this. This is a HUGE deal and I'm so proud of the team. The category was in Senior Contemporary. A lot of our dancers are also chess players.

In that category we did Lyrical Dance, for those who have not seen it looks like rhythmic ballet. The choreography is made to complement the lyrics. The routine was done to Empires POWERFUL. It was so cool. I wish we could show you the video. If you are interested in joining one of the best dance and cheerleading teams in the bay area- hit us up. 888 588 4418.

HHCF 2016 Year in Review!

Happy New Year!! 2016 was a fantastic year for Hip-Hop Chess Federation Inc. The demand has never been greater.

In case you missed it, the media loves us.

Watch: KPIX TV (see our HHCF Chess Club at O'Connell HS by Kenny Choi)

Listen: The Cipher Show Podcast (interviewed by Forbes writer Shawn Setaro)

HHCF Chess & Life Strategies taught as a class at John O'Connell HS- You read correctly. Hip-Hop Chess Federation teaches chess and life strategies as a class in SFUSD. We show how chess and life is connected. We use those connections to help kids make decisions on academic and real life situations. It has been our greatest achievement and honor to date. We also have an amazing group with work with on weekends at College Track in Oakland, Unity High in Oakalnd and Cherryland Elementary in Hayward.. They are some of the greatest kids I've ever had the honor to teach. I feel like these three schools are without question our greatest groups of kids to work with ever. If you would like us at your  school please email contact@hiphopchessfederation.org !

The release of Bobby, Bruce & The Bronx: The Secrets of Hip-Hop Chess- After ten years of research we finally have a book out. It is a self-help book for teens and adults fusing classical chess tactics, Hip-Hip street psychology, and martial arts philosophy to keep you sharp in life. The book has a 5 star rating on Amazon. Now our curriculum can be absorbed worldwide. Get one today or lose to those who have.

Super Bowl 50 on stage with Beyonce, Bruno Mars and Coldplay- The whole team is still in shock. A select number of HHCF Raw Elite kids were invited to participate in the historic Superbowl 50 Halftime Show. Most were part of the amazing choreography on the field. Some were lucky enough to get on stage with Beyonce and Coldplay in the ending session of the halftime show. The rehearsals were insane but he opportunity was priceless.

HHCF National and Regional Titles- I cannot put into words how proud I am of the HHCF Raw Elite Team. I am the strength and conditioning coach. A lot of people forget how much work I do with girls. It is some of the most rewarding work I do. These boys and girls have what it takes to push through and work together. Our cheer and Lyrical Dance team won. Our Lyrical team though, not only won their division. These girls won a bid to compete in Las Vegas this year. If I could only tell you how many frustrating practices, blood, sweat and true tears it took to do what we did. I want to commend the coaches and the parents for their faith in the kids and faith in themselves.  We also had big wins in Hawaii and Santa Cruz. If you think your son or daughter would enjoy the fun and fitness that comes with competitive cheer please visit www.rawtalents.org  .

Also, the ever amazing Grant Torino just joined HHCF as a Hip-Hop dance teacher. This young man is second to none. His choreography is top tier and his ability to give kids confidence in their movements is truly unique.

HHCF Jiu-Jitsu Team wins big at US Open- Chess is jiu-jitsu for the mind. Jiu-Jitsu is chess for the body. That is the HHCF motto. Our team, took time to develop. We are small. I call us the 300. We are not big in number, but we are mighty. Our debut at the US Open was amazing Both kids and adults had amazing fun and won medals. 2017 should prove to open more doors. Our wrestling coach Andrew and our BJJ coach Sammy show practical, effective techniques. Our chess and jiu-jitsu program teaches blends the complimentary concepts from chess and jiu-jitsu. Each class ends with students on the board applying pins, forks and checkmates physically and mentally.   If your son or daughter would like to join call 888 588 4418. If you appreciate the spirit in which we teach, embrace nonviolence and love the gentle art, please get the OFFICIAL HHCF gi for women OR men at www.deusfight.com . We are forever grateful for their support in our team.




HHCF MMA Fighter D'Juan Owens Teaches in Uganda- After winning in MMA and Jiu-Jitsu matches this year D'Juan took some time to go teach kids in Uganda. It was an amazing journey. He taught Hip-Hop dance as well as classes self defense centered on kids and women. D'Juan was a great example of leadership on and off the mats.

Adisa Banjoko speaking at Kennedy Center in DC- The crown jewel of the year was an unexpected invite to keynote at the Words Beats and Life WBL Fest in DC. For the first time, I gave a talk about the hidden connections between Bruce Lee, the early art battle DJ'ing and its connection to the brains exercising executive function. It was received so well. I was so scared. You can hear a segment of it on Bishop Chronicles Podcast.

Honorable mentions in regards to our impact this year include HHCF Summer Program (funded by RZA). We taught chess, jiu-jitsu and entrepreneurship to kids. We had an HHCF  chess program in Alameda County juvenile hall. Tupac's sister Set Shakur, Ryron Gracie and Ralston Gracie came to visit our HQ. Rapper T-KASH dropped an album about nonviolence  AND he ran yet another Oakland Running Festival to bring more attention to nonviolence. We also hosted the DMC Bay Area DJ championships. The crowd was massive and amazing. Also, one of our performing arts kids was cast in a new movie starring Ludacris called Ride. Look for it in 2017.

What do we need help doing? We need help growing. The demand for our programs is much higher than we can currently manage. We need help scaling. We need grant writers and we need help building our fundraising capabilities. If you can help us please contact us at contact@hiphopchessfederation.org. 

Thank you to all our sponsors and donors. You mean the world to us. Without you, none of the help we give the youth is possible. If you would like to donate to HHCF, a 501(c)3 nonprofit please visit www.hiphopchess.com and donate today! 

HHCF's Raw AllStars Cheer & Dance Takes TWO 1st Place Wins at USA Regional Championships!!

Big congratulations are in order for HHCF's Raw AllStars cheer and dance team. They took first place in their division at USA Regional Championships in Santa Cruz, CA a few weeks back. It was a totally stereotypical California beach boardwalk kinda day. Our kids worked super hard to get the win. Our coaches, parents, and choreographers all deserve a hand.

Another special shout has to go to our Lyrical dance team who competed the same day. They no only took first, but won a bid to compete in Las Vegas this May!!!! We are immensely proud of them.

Sign our kids up today for award winning cheer and Hip-Hop dance at www.hiphopchess.com or www.rawtalents.org . All ages and skill sets welcome. No experience needed. See you on the floor!!!

Hip-Hop Chess Federation Summer Camps Start June 9, 2016!!!

HHCF is happy to announce we will be hosting our always packed summer camps!!!! Our summer camps allow your child to grow learning things like Hip-Hop dance, chess and life strategies, jiu-jitsu, and TV and Film production. Our goal is to refine their character and their fitness levels. HHCF camps will have special guests from the film, technology, jiu-jitsu and chess world visiting our kids. We will also be taking field trips to some of the coolest companies in the technology world. HHCF camp teachers are ALWAYS life scan cleared to ensure your children are consistently in a safe and fun environment. They get packed QUICK so go to www.hiphopchess.com and sign your kids up today! See you in June!! If you would like to DONATE to the HHCF CAMPS or host a visit to your technology company visit our website or donate on our homepage. 

HHCF Community Education Center Grand Opening August 16th!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PR Contact: Meek Gaborski

contact@hiphopchessfederation.org

Hip-Hop Chess Federation Celebrates Grand Opening of Community Center

HHCF Celebrates Community Education Center August 16th

July 15, 2014 - San Jose, CA- The Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) is proud to announce it will host the Grand Opening of the HHCF Community Education Center. The event will take place Saturday August 16th at 3396 Seldon Ct. Fremont, CA  from 1-6 PM.

The HHCF Community Education Center will focus on teaching K-12 youth chess, martial arts, Hip-Hop dance and competitive cheerleading. They will be offering additional after school mentoring and tutoring programs throughout the school year launch in Fall of 2014. The HHCF will also be hosting regular panel discussions, and Q&A sessions with leaders education, art, nonviolence, technology, chess and martial arts. For the last 8 years the HHCF has brought rappers and chess players like RZA, IM Josh Waitzkin, Sons of Anarchy actor Emilio Rivera, Immortal Technique, IM Emory Tate, Rakaa Iriscience, DJ QBert and others together with the youth to spark deeper levels of intercultural education and community engagement.

“The HHCF Community Education Center will allow our staff to help young people improve their grades, sense of purpose and physical attributes ” stated the organization's Founder Adisa Banjoko.

HHCF Director of Education, Arash Daneshzadeh stated “  The HHCF Community Education Center will give young people a place where their minds can truly thrive free of judgement and actualize their academic goals. Our fusion of Hip-Hop, chess and martial arts are built to inspire positive thought and action. We are thankful to all those who have helped make this day possible.”

1:00 PM-  Doors open, open chess gaming, open jiu jitsu mat and music by DJ Don Mega of All Tribes Universal Zulu Nation Chapter

2:30 PM-  Adisa Banjoko Grand Opening  Remarks    

3:00-   HHCF Raw Cheer exhibition + Akoma Arts Hosted Capoeira Roda + Future Arts Now Hosted All Styles Dance Cipher

5:00-  Performances by Shamako Noble & DLabrie, Nim One and more TBA

6:00 PM-  Closing remarks

In related news, the HHCF is currently running a free chess camp in San Jose that was funded by the City of San Jose’s Safe Summer Initiative Grant. Additionally, HHCF Founder Adisa Banjoko is currently serving as an Education Consultant to  the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis Missouri.  The World Chess Hall of Fame stated their exhibit will “delve into the overlapping cultures of Hip Hop and chess through the exhibit Living Like Kings. Hip Hop and chess share a rich history—as cultural touchstones, tools for community building, and avenues for understanding.”  The Living Like Kings exhibition will run October 9th 2014 to April 26th 2015.

For more information on Hip-Hop Chess Federation Grand Opening  RSVP Here or follow @realhiphopchess on Instagram for more information.

Hip-Hop Chess Federation Launches Summer Camp on Chess and Entrepreneurship

Hip-Hop Chess Federation Launches Summer Camp on Chess and Entrepreneurship

Non-profit bridges gaps between music, business and technology

San Jose, CA 6/9/2014- The Hip-Hop Chess Federation(HHCF) is proud to announce that it will be hosting its annual Summer Camps. This summer the camps will be held at Ocalla Middle School starting June 16 and will run for 8 weeks . Camp programs include classes Chess, Entrepreneurship Camp,  Hip-Hop Dance and Cheerleading.

It is well known the some of Silicon Valley and Hip-Hop have chess as a common theme in their life.

Thanks to the generosity of the City of San Jose Safe Summer Initiative Grant, the HHCF is able to drop the price of the camp from $295 a week to a low price of $99 a week. This grant will help some kids attend who might not have been able to otherwise. The HHCF works to ensure that learning the game of kings is not reserved for only the economic elite.  

“Our chess camps stay full because they are more than  just becoming a chess champion” stated HHCF Founder Adisa Banjoko. “Chess teaches kids how ideas followed with the right planning and action make you victorious. Our methods teach young people the connection between chess, life and education strategies. We are really excited about this years entrepreneurship camp where participants will develop skills to help them become the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs. Throughout the camps we will bring in will bring in company founders and start-up Silicon Valley executives to host guest lectures on topics such as business strategies, chess and more”.

The camp for K-12th grade encourages local schools and community members to participate in this summer camps. The $99 fee provides each camper with materials for camp activities and for those registered by June 13, a free camp T-shirt.

A limited number of partial scholarships are available. Parents should contact Crystal Silva atcamps@hiphopchessfederation.org, if finances are a concern.

About Hip-Hop Chess Federation: The Hip-Hop Chess Federation is the first nonprofit 501(c)3 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 from Wu-Tang Clan, chess master Josh Waitzkin, actor Emilio Rivera,  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. Visit their official website at www.hiphopchessfederation.org.

HHCF Summer Camps in the News!!!

The idea of “hip-hop chess” might leave some with a puzzled head scratch. But for veteran hip-hop journalist, certified chess geek and Hip-Hop Chess Federation founder Adisa Banjoko, the marriage of the two seemingly disparate worlds was never a question.

Rappers have always used chess as a metaphor, Banjoko said, be it political, like Public Enemy’s Chuck D on “Rebel Without a Pause” (“No matter what the name, we’re all the same pieces in one big chess game”) or a metaphor for street life, like 50 Cent on “Piggy Bank” (“This is chess not checkers, these are warning shots / After your next move, I’ll give you what I got”).

Even rap mogul Jay-Z acknowledged the importance of chess, noting in his 2010 autobiography, “Decoded”: “My pop taught me chess, but more than that, he taught me that life was like a giant chessboard where you had to be completely aware in the moment, but also thinking a few moves ahead.” READ FULL STORY ....

SIGN YOUR KID UP TODAY!! www.hiphopchessfederation.org/camps 

We have big announcements next week of special guests stopping by!