HHCF Auctioning Lost Autographed Chessboards by RZA, GZA, Rakaa and Waitzkin

For Immediate Release:

PR Contact: Mek Gaborski

(657) 229-2787

memg@hiphopchessfederation.org

   L-R: Rakaa Iriscience of Dilated Peoples, Daaim Shabazz of The Chess Drum, RZA from Wu-Tang Clan and International Chessmaster Josh Waitzkin.

Hip-Hop Chess Federation Auctions Lost Autographed Chessboards by Wu-Tang Clan

Arts and Education Non-profit Raising Money for New Community Center

8/3/15 San Jose, CA- The Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) has just announced that it is auctioning three autographed chessboards signed by Rza and Gza of the Wu-Tang Clan, International Chessmaster Josh Waitzkin and Rakaa Iriscience from Dilated Peoples. The initial auction price of the boards is $150.00. The boards had been lost after they were signed in October of 2007 at the Chess Kings Invitational in San Francisco. They recently were found as the organization was moving items to take to the new facility. The auction is happening to raise funds for the new HHCF Community Center. The new community center will host various classes on Hip-Hop dance, chess, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and after school tutoring and mentoring programs.

HHCF Founder Adisa The Bishop recently finished serving as an Education and History Consultant on Hip-Hop and chess for the record breaking exhibit at the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis, Missouri. The discussion on chess, martial arts and Hip-Hop as tools for non-violence has swept across universities like University of Connecticut, University Wisconsin Whitewater and Oberlin College among others. HHCF Summer Camps were hosted in San Jose and in East Palo Alto to help keep at-risk kids off the street and planning their future.

RZA serves as the Director of Outreach for the HHCF. In the wake of the police shootings of  Michael Brown and Vonderitt Myers RZA and Adisa spoke to St. Louis youth and visited incarcerated youth.  RZA shared his in depth wisdom about race in America, Ferguson, and the importance of chess as a tool for life strategies and  non-violence.

“These chessboards represent a unique era in the fusion between chess and Hip-Hop” stated Adisa The Bishop “These boards are not going to be reproduced. Whether you are a Hip-Hop or chess history buff, this is a truly one of a kind thing to have for any collector to own.”

To place your bid for one of the three autographed Hip-Hop Chess Federation chessboards visit: EBay now! For more information on the Hip-Hop Chess Federation visit www.hiphopchess.com or follow @realhiphopchess on Instagram.

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This is gonna be GREAT for music culture in the bay!!

PRESS RELEASE 07/25/12 For Immediate Release Contact: Zsa-Zsa Rensch 510-516-2012  zsazsainc@gmail.com

Yoshi Akiba of Yoshi's Jazz Club Launches 51Oakland Non-Profit Organization with a Two-Day Community Fundraiser -- Benefiting Performing Arts and Music Education in Oakland Public Schools - 7/29 & 7/30 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Oakland, CA) - Wednesday, July 25, 2012 - Forty years ago Yoshi Akiba and her partners launched the first incarnation of Yoshi's Jazz Club and Japanese Restaurant. Once a small Berkeley restaurant, Yoshi's is now recognized for bringing world-class musicians to its Oakland and San Francisco locations, while showcasing an array of local talent. Now, Akiba is expanding her vision to include Oakland youth with the launch of 51Oakland, a non-profit organization in partnership with Yoshi's Jazz Club, that promotes educational, artistic and musical opportunities for Oakland youth. This weekend the organization will host two all-ages events benefiting performing arts and music education in Oakland public schools. "Oakland children do not have enough opportunity," she says noting the funding cuts for arts and music programming in the schools. "We want to create opportunities for them that they've lost." The indoor and outdoor celebration at Oakland's Toast Wine Lounge will kick-off the two-day community fundraiser on Sunday, July 29th. Hosted by Yoshi Akiba, with a special appearance from Don Reed, the event is from noon to 9pm and will feature live musical performances every hour, on the hour. Attendees will enjoy selections from David Gans(Host of KPFA's "Dead To The World," and Sirius XM's "Tales From The Golden Road"), Kev Choice (keyboardist, composer, band leader, educator), Jordan McConnell (Grammy nominated musician), Cava Menzies Quartet featuring Shawn Whitehorn (keyboardist, educator), OUSD Ensemble, and DJ Jah Styles. Guests can also enjoy a delicious family-friendly menu and participate in a silent auction. Don Reed, double NAACP Theatre award nominee, writer and Oakland native, revives his critically acclaimed one-man show East 14th: True Tales of a Reluctant Player for day two of fundraising in support of arts in Oakland public schools. The special one night only performance will take place at Yoshi's Oakland on Monday, July 30th. Praised by The New Yorker, San Francisco Chronicle, and East Bay Express, the play explores surprising family dynamics, rebellion, and the complexity of one's moral compass. Proceeds from both events go to making sure that Oakland students are afforded the resources and opportunities that will enable them to become the world-class musicians and artists that have been celebrated on the Yoshi's stage for the last 40 years. About 51Oakland 51Oakland was established in 2011 by Yoshi Akiba, co-owner of the renowned musical venues, Yoshi's Oakland and Yoshi's San Francisco, and Jason Hofmann, a young Oakland-based entrepreneur and former educator who, within the last few years, has become increasingly involved in philanthropic activities benefiting youth. 51Oakland, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, is organized and operated solely to promote educational, artistic and musical opportunities for youth in the Oakland community. An advocate of the Oakland Unified School District, 51Oakland provides access to mentoring, nurturing and training by professional musicians and, later this year, will underwrite and organize a monthly concert series, "Live at Yoshi's," featuring Oakland's finest youth talent. ###  **ATTENTION CALENDAR & LISTINGS EDITORS*** Sunday, July 29, 2012 51Oakland Presents A Fundraiser Benefiting Arts and Music Education in Oakland Public Schools Featuring Live Music, Comedy & More! with Performances by: David Gans, Kev Choice, Jordan McConnell, Cava Menzies Quartet featuring Shawn Whitehorn, OUSD Ensemble, DJ Jah Styles. Appearance by Don Reed, Hosted by Yoshi Akiba Toast Wine Lounge 5900 College Avenue (between Harwood Ave & Chabot Rd, near Rockridge BART) Oakland, CA 94618 Doors: 12 p.m. - 9 p.m. Free admission All Ages www.toastwinelounge.com www.facebook.com/events/431207090252656 Monday, July 30, 2012 51Oakland Presents DON REED'S EAST 14TH: True Tales of a Reluctant Player FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY A Fundraiser Benefiting Arts and Music Education in Oakland Public Schools. Yoshi's Oakland 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square Oakland, CA 94607 Doors: 8 p.m. $25 Advance Tickets: www.yoshis.com/oakland/jazzclub/artist/show/2896 All Ages (Contains some mature language and themes) www.yoshis.com www.east14th.com www.facebook.com/events/404630162922460 Additional Info: www.51oakland.org www.facebook.com/pages/51Oakland/189412667826004 Media & Communications contact: Zsa-Zsa Rensch at (510) 516-2012 or zsazsainc@gmail.com Please contact Zsa-Zsa Rensch if interested in speaking with Yoshi Akiba.