HHCF Featured at HIERO DAY in Oakland Sept. 2nd!!!

Thats right!! The whole bay is on fire waiting for this day. We will be there with boards chilling with tables and boards out for open gaming and to share in the positive vibrations. See you there. REMEMBER THE BAY BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED....LOL....

Every parent MUST watch this!!

Much love and respect to Ryron, Rener and Ralek. The Gracie family, the Gracie WAY saves lives...See just one right here.

Dice Raw Bases "Jimmy's Back" LP On "The New Jim Crow" Book

FROM HIPHOPDX.COM

Dice Raw bases his forthcoming "Jimmy's Back" album on the best-selling book "The New Jim Crow."

Dice Raw is slated to release his new albumJimmy’s Back August 19. The concept project from The Roots affiliate is inspired by the New York Times best-selling book The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, by Michelle Alexander, a civil rights lawyer and Ohio State University professor.  

Released in 2012, The New Jim Crow covers several topics, such as the mass incarceration of Americans, especially African-Americans, the war on drugs, social consequences of various policies for “people of color” and how the labeling of people as felons traps them into a “second-class” life that is difficult to escape from. Alexander argues in the book that "racial control" in the United States evolved as required by changing political circumstances and contemporary standards, with the policies of the current criminal justice system replacing Jim Crow laws, which in turn had replaced slavery. Hence, the “New Jim Crow.” 

The concept album by Philadelphia rapper will explore a number of the issues raised in Michelle Alexander’s widely acclaimed work, especially the topic of mass incarceration. 

In the trailer for Dice Raw’s newest effort, the emcee explains what life is like in The City Of Brotherly Love. "I grew up in Philadelphia," he says. "Philadelphia is not a soft city. It has a criminal element to it, and poor sections. That's basically what it comes down to is low economic background, low education.” 

Jimmy’s Back will feature guest appearances from professed former felons K-Dot and fellow The Rootscollaborator Mars CO-op. “When I heard they’re stories when I heard them spitting, I immediately wanted them involved in the project,” Dice says. “These were the people we are trying to save…These are the people on the front lines fighting this war raised on them…The war on drugs is a war on thugs.”

The new project from the Philly native includes tracks such as the call-to-action for those in the struggle “Wake Up” and “Over.” Jill Scott will also be featured on Jimmy’s Back. 

In addition to Jimmy's Back, Dice Raw has also released an accompaning documentary that further sheds light on the mass incarceration of minorties in the U.S. The short film features interviews with previously incarcerated Philly natives who want to share some their experiences and comment on what they’ve had to do to avoid the traps of the "new Jim Crow" system.

Great Tutorial on The Kings Indian

Another GREAT tutorial from the St. Louis Chess Club...

Hip-Hop Promotes Education More Than Any Other Form of American Music

No form of music in the history of America stressed the importance of their fans having knowledge, wisdom and understanding. Especially where race was a factor.

This is not a debatable issue. Exhibit A

Gotta love this.

This flag reminds me of one of my campers. The song is a favorite of mine...

I mean, who can NOT like a song that celebrates being nice to teachers....?

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