HHCF Brings Immortal Technique to John O'Connell High to Address Latino Gang Violence in SF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Adisa Banjoko
bishop@hiphopchessfederation.org

Hip-Hop Chess Federation and Immortal Technique Unite to Address Escalation of Latino Gang Violence
Rapper Immortal Technique, The Brown Berets and Author Cesar Cruz to Speak at John O'Connell High School

Nov. 3rd 20090- San Francisco, CA- The Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) is proud to announce that it will host Immortal Technique at John O'Connell High school in San Francisco, CA on Nov. 5th. He will address the rising climate of violence by Latino gangs in the SF Mission District. This is a closed door event, specifically for John O'Connell students. Immortal Technique will be accompanied by the Brown Berets of Watsonville. Additionally Cesar Cruz, author of History of North & South: Bang for Freedom will be showing a short documentary on past peace resolutions made by Norteno and Sureno gangs.

"I have had a long history of working with street organizations and with community leaders that come together to try and avert self destructive actions such as the ones we face here." stated Immortal Technique. "I do not claim to have all the answers but I am more than willing to share my time and energy to try and look at the roots of this and other conflicts to find solutions rather than just continue a cycle of hatred and vengeance."

"Our children are murdering one another with no sense of remorse" stated the HHCF's CEO, Adisa Banjoko. "The Hip-Hop Chess Federation remains committed to fusing music, chess and martial arts to promote unity, strategy and non-violence. Immortal Technique is a Hip-Hop artist who has a special place in the hearts of Latino youth. He's been a true ally of the HHCF for a long time. John O'Connell High Schools faculty and staff have always been proactive in their approach to keeping their students effectively informed. We're honored to have Immortal Technique and the Brown Berets share their ideas on the best moves we can all make, to reach an authentic and enduring peace on these streets."

For more information contact Adisa Banjoko: bishop@hiphopchessfederation.org

For more info on the Hip-Hop Chess Federation visit: www.hiphopchessfederation.org

The last HHCF event was amazing...

Just a quick thank you to all the people who made last weekends event so amazing.

I could thank people all day, really. I'm going to try and give some shouts out right now. I hope no one who gets left out is offended.

Much HHCF love goes out to: Marilyn Yalom, Conscious Daughters, Jean Hoffman, DJ Pam the Funkstress and Melina Jones. The All Queens Panel was so powerful.

To Rakaa, Ray Luv, Traxamillion, Don Kiolbassa, D'Lamont Robinson, Rahman Jamaal and his team from All Star Martial Arts, Gumby from Heroes Martial Arts, Sal and everybody from Bay Area Chess, Elaine Moskowitz, Scott Budman, Brothers Against Guns, the entire staff at O'Connell High in SF, Renaissance High in Watsonville, Jenn Laskin and the Brown Berets...Thank you, and all who participated for a fantastic HHCF event.

I have footage of the panel and other clips, BUT, my Mac is tripping out. So, I have not been able to share what I have. But in a few days, hopefully, I can change that.

Stay strong on the boards,
Adisa

This is the essence of being tough...

Schedule for Hip-Hop Chess Federation Oct. 10th Event

Sheet1

A B C
1 What Where when
2 Chess Tournament atrium start at 10 for group one and 11 for group two
3 Graffiti / Chalk Art yard 1:00-3:00
4 Queens' Discussion Panel library 12:00–1:00
5 King's Discussion Panel library 1:30–2:30
6 Martial Arts Demonstration dance studio 3:00–3:45
7 Chess Trophy Presentation atrium 4:00–end
8 DJ Malcolm Marshall KMEL atrium all day
9

All Queens Life Strategies Panel at HHCF Event Oct. 10th 2009!!!

There will also be a special at the HHCF West Coast Kings & Queens!!! The All Queens Life Strategies Panel will have Birth of the Chess Queen author Marilyn Yalom, Conscious Daughters, rapper Melina Jones and Jean Hoffman of 9 Queens will discuss how young girls can step forward with positivity and confidence into the future.

"It was time for the HHCF to do something specifically to celebrate the power and impact of the artists from the west coast," said HHCF founder and CEO Adisa Banjoko. "We always provide safe, family friendly environments for people to discover their true potential in life and have fun. So many young girls out there love the game of chess. We wanted to set something up just to celebrate the queens. We wanted to give these girls direct access to women of knowledge and strength, in hopes that these young ladies will follow their lead."

This is a FREE ALL AGES EVENT!! John O'Connell High School. 2355 Folsom St. @ 19th in San Francisco!! Visit www.hiphopchessfederation.org for more info!!

Jrobi breaks down tactics

Its not enough to just talk about our passion. We must walk in our passion.

We must know that it is not enough just to see what the Mind is, we must put into practice all that makes it up in our daily life. We may talk about it glibly, we may write books to explain it, but that is far from being enough. However much we may talk about water and describe it quite intelligently, that does not make it real water. So with fire. Mere talking of it will not make the mouth burn. To know what they are means to experience them in actual concreteness. A book on cooking will not cure our hunger. To feel satisfied we must have actual food. So long as we do not go beyond mere talking, we are not true knowers.- Takuan Soho

As the sun rises, the sounds of battle echo

Every so often, early in the morning, this student at the school I work at can be found playing his berimbau. He loves capoeria and any moment he gets to refine his playing, or his training- he takes it....I admire that.

HHCF ANNOUNCES: West Coast Kings & Queens Tournament

Sept. 10th 2009, San Francisco, CA- The Hip-Hop Chess Federation is proud to announce the West Coast Kings & Queens Tournament. The Hip-Hop Chess Federation is the world's first organization to fuse music, chess and martial arts to promote unity, strategy and non-violence. There will be a traditional rated chess tournament, people can learn chess basics, watch graffiti art battles, b-boy ciphers, celebrity chess matches, martial arts exhibitions, prize giveaways and more! It all takes place Oct. 10th 2009 at John O'Connell High School from 9AM to 6PM at 2355 Folsom St. @ 19th in San Francisco, Ca. ADMISSION IS FREE FOR ALL AGES.

Celebrity guests inculde Rakaa Iriscience from Dilated Peoples, rap legend Ray Luv, Traxamillion, Casual from Hieroglyphics, Balance and Big Rich, Conscious Daughters, T-KASH, DLabrie and others to be announced. The event will be DJ'ed by KMEL Street Soldiers DJ Malcolm Marshall. There will also be a special All Queens Life Strategies Panel where Concious Daughters, Jean Hoffman of 9 Queens and other prominent business women will discuss how young girls can step forward with positivity and confidence into the future.

"It was time for the HHCF to do something specifically to celebrate the power and impact of the artists from the west coast," said HHCF founder and CEO Adisa Banjoko. "We always provide safe, family friendly environments for people to discover their true potential in life and have fun. All of the artists in attendance have a proven track record not only of being raw, but in giving back to the communities they come from. We're honored and humbled to have them all in attendance."

"We are enthusiastic and grateful to all the celebrities, kids and educators coming together for the Kings & Queens Tournament," said Banjoko. "This organization has been hurt badly by the failing economy. Yet by forging strong strategic alliances we're still pushing ahead. These are tough times for many of America's youth. Nevertheless the HHCF remains unflinching in our goal to share the countless educational and artistic life options for them in this world. We are grateful for all the rappers, chess masters and martial artists who have donated their time to teaching kids healthy alternatives to violence on the streets. Since our explosive beginning there have been many imitations, but there is only one Hip-Hop Chess Federation! See you all there."

All who wish to compete in the Kings & Queens Tournament can sign up today at:http://www.bayareachess.com

Partners for the West Coast Kings & Queens Tournament are Bay Area Chess and WuChess.com. Other sponsors include JW Foundation, 9 Queens, www.thechesspiece.com, www.thechessdrum.net, 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu SF, www.mikerelm.com.com, Heroes Martial Arts and Upper Playground. For more information on how to participate visit www.hiphopchess.blogspot.com

A beautiful illustration of why this is called "the gentle art"

The ever inspirational, Andre Galvao.

Jrobi is still killing it with his vids...I love this dudes work