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! 

A look back at HHCF Chess Summer Camp

This was the best summer ever!! So much fun, so many kids...So many lessons taught, and learned....Enjoy your school year and we'll see you next summer!

                                         Every Friday we had a tournament...

                                          These two had some epic battles...

                                          This is how chess makes them feel!!

                                         Much thanks to everybody at 9 Queens!!

                                         HHCF kids, keep us smiling!

7 Year Old Girl Shocks World, Winning Step Up Revolution VIP Grand Champion Dance Competition

HHCF Founder Adisa Banjoko with Sarah

7 Year Old Girl Stuns the World Winning Step Up Revolution VIP Grand Champion Dance Competition

July 23rd- San Jose, CA- The Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) hosted the first ever Step Up Revolution All Styles Dance Competition. The event took place at the Alum Rock Youth Center in San Jose, CA. “This battle was meant to get kids off the street and showcase the amazing dance talent in the Bay Area. No doubt this mission was accomplished.”

The day began with a workshop from world renown Bboy A-Game from Hybrid Crew/Style Elements. He taught an introductory class on the fundamental Bboy movements that left young novices flowing seamlessly from top rocking, to crisp floor work.

The competition was DJ’ed by Kool DJ Dizzy of All Tribes Zulu Nation chapter and judged by San Jose Bboy Anonymous and Funkee Asiatic of All Tribes Zulu Nation.

The day’s all styles battle was conducted in an “Iron Man” format that came down to a faceoff  between popper’s Shez and Maze, both representing San Jose. After a grueling 5 rounds Shez and Maze tied for first.

                         L to R All Style Champions Tied for 1st Place Maze & Shez with Sarah

The shock of the day however was a 7 year old known only as Sarah, who took the floor by storm and won the Step Up Revolution VIP Grand Champion. Her 2 minute 30 second routine was an amazing blend of modern Hip-Hop Dance, crumping, tutting and turf dancing that was packed with intensity. “The energy Sara hit the floor with was unmatched. Her choreography was composed so well.” said HHCF Founder Adisa Banjoko. “The only problem was that her trophy was almost as big as she was. She has authentic star power.”

Sarah said after winning “I had a great time dancing today, because I love to dance and I love my trophy!” Her parents stated “There were some amazing dancers at the event today. We are so excited for Sarah and proud that she got to be part of this great event and raise money for HHCF and give back to the community.”

The Hip-Hop Chess Federation would like to give a deep thanks to  Ed Solis, Mona Martinez and everybody from the Alum Rock Youth Center and the City of San Jose. They gave these youth and their families an amazing place to display their skills. We also want to be sure to thank King Kenny of San Jose Universal Zulu Nation Chapter, San Francisco All Tribes Chapter, Demone Carter of Future Arts Now, www.bboysounds.com, Rahman Jamaal, Som Ngeth, Bboy A-Game, Bboy Aftashock, IDC Magazine, Raw Talents and of course  the creators of Step Up Revolution for trusting us to put on such a fun event.

For more info on the Hip-Hop Chess Federation visit: www.facebook.com/hiphopchess
PHOTO 1:  PHOTO 2: Lto R All Style Champions Tied for 1st Place Maze & Shez with Sarah

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! 

Navy Blue HHCF Summer Shirts Are In!!

Ya gotta lvoe these new "Measure Your Movements" t-shirts. The top part of the back reminds the one who wears it that 3PA > 1NT!!! Available right now at www.hiphopchessfederation.org/hhcfstore

HHCF Working its Way to LA...

HHCF founder Adisa Banjoko, along with the HHCF Communications Director were recenlty in LA focused on west coast expansion. While down there, their friend Nancy Cartwright (the voice of Bart Simpson) invited them out for dinner. After dinner they bumped into none other than John Travolta and his lovely wife Kelley Preston. HHCF will be announcing the opening of its LA headquarters soon! For more info email bishop@hiphopchessfederation.org !!