Through the panel and breakout discussions, our goal is to provide an open forum to explore perceptions and gender roles and to ask the questions is this part of typical social interaction and/or is it influenced by media, community leadership, and Hip Hop music? How do we appropriately identify the factors causing strained relationships between young women and men? Breakout sessions, led by panelists, will immediately follow as we work together as a community to identify strategies to create and implement solutions in our individual lives and in our communities.
“You Be Boy and I Be Girl” Event Agenda
Wednesday March 27th, 2013
UW-Milwaukee Union Ballroom
2200 East Kenwood Boulevard
Milwaukee, WI 53211
12noon-9pm
12:30-2:30pm Interactive/Multimedia Panel Discussion
Featuring Hip Hop artists Pharoahe Monch, Jean Grae, and Signif (NYC/MKE)
Rubin Whitmore II, Film & Media maker & Professor at Art Institute of WI
Roberto Rivera, President of The Good Life Organization (Chicago, IL)
Sarah Dollhausen, Executive Director of TRUE Skool (Milwaukee, WI)
Moderator: Viva Fidel
2:30-3:30pm Breakout Discussions led by panelists and community organizations
The Good Life Organization, Urban Underground, ACLU, No Condom No Way, Reproductive Justice Collective
4:00-6:30pm DINNER BREAK
6:30pm DOORS OPEN for performances
7:00-9:00pm FREE & ALL AGES Hip Hop Show featuring Pharoahe Monch and Jean Grae
**show starts promptly at 7! Performances by: Signif, KILLwaukee Xperiment and Genesis.
THIS EVENT IS FREE AND ALL AGES
NO VIDEO OR PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED AT ANY TIME
"You Be Boy and I Be Girl"
presented by TRUE Skool and UW-Milwaukee Union Sociocultural Programming
TRUE Skool presents “You Be Boy and I Be Girl”, an event that will engage both males’ and females’ perspectives as we challenge and aim to change the perceptions of gender specific roles in the urban arts, in media, in the creative and entertainment industries and in community leadership roles.
The daylong event, starting at 12noon, will feature an interactive community art project led by local youth artists/activists, panel and breakout sessions led by experts in the creative, entertainment and community leadership fields and ending with a free and all ages live Hip Hop show featuring Pharoahe Monch and Jean Grae with additional performances by Signif, KILLwaukee Xperiment, and Genesis.
Thank you to our partners!
Union Sociocultural Programming
Co-sponsors: Black Cultural Center & Women's Resource Center
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Full DVD available soon!
Pharoahe Monch
Hip Hop Artist
Panelist & Performer
Pharoahe Monch - a 21 yr industry vet and hip hop artist, whose socially-conscious lyricism and unique rhythmic skill has earned him a place as a master wordsmith and undisputed American rapper/emcee great , is available for panels and workshops, and engagements speaking on a variety of topics inspired by his career as a solo performer, producer, composer, singer-songwriter, lyricist, poet, and activist. Some of Monch's many credits include 3 group LPs, 3 solo LPs, an upcoming EP releasing Fall 2012, and one half of former Organized Konfusion, as well as creative director for several music video productions, and countless features, appearances and worldwide tours.
Jean Grae
Hip Hop Artist
Panelist & Performer
Jean Grae, born in South Africa and the daughter of two jazz musicians, throughout her career she has recorded tracks with numerous major hip hop artists, Atmosphere, The Roots, Talib Kweli, The Herbaliser, Da Beatminerz, Phonte, Mr. Len, Masta Ace, Vordul Mega, C-Rayz Walz, Mos Def, Styles P, Pharoahe Monch and Immortal Technique among them. Jean Grae, speaks on a wide range of topics and conducts workshops as a 16 yr industry vet, hip hop emcee, early female pioneer of the genre, lyricist, poet, singer-songwriter, producer, and composer with 6 LPs, 1 EP, a mixtape, 2 new LPs releasing in late 2012, and countless features, appearances and worldwide tours, recently adding music video creative director/producer/editor and standup comedian to her credits. Inspired by her life experiences, Jean Grae's lyricism and songwriting have long been recognized for their unabashed honesty and fearless expression of "reality". Realities many young women and men experience. Her voice, is a voice for many. Her example encourages individualism. Her wit and humor foster an environment of self-acceptance. Jean Grae delivers a message that inspires audience members to, "Be your destiny, be great, be who you're supposed to be", a message exemplified in her inspiring single "This Morning", from upcoming LP, Cake Or Death.
Signif
Hip Hop Artist (MKE/NYC)
Panelist & Performer
In a male dominated medium that often sees women using their sexuality to make a name for themselves, Signif is an extremely talented emcee who chooses to channel the ART of Hip-Hop in her songs rather than the hype that surrounds the “prototype” of the female emcee. The New York resident, born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was first turned onto Hip-Hop by her older brothers, which began the cementing of her love for the music. At age 8 she began exploring written expression through poetic musings and this eventually led to an active participation in Freestyling. With poetry and Freestyling under her belt, she soon took to developing songs that attempted to capture the essence of both the poetic and off the cuff approaches she was already familiar with. In 2009 she released Beautifully Flawed, an EP that would introduce her to the game as a viable artist but it wasn’t until the 2010 release of her album The Transition that people really started to take notice of who Signif was, and that she was somebody who could really add something fresh to the Hip-Hop landscape. Helping to keep the ball rolling forward in 2010, she released a remix project that saw her teamed up with budding underground producer Haz Solo, as well as several clean and crisp music videos done by Alphabang Productions. All of this is leading to her newest EP, Significant Wizdom II: Atypical, that is guaranteed to be as well received by the public and press as all of her past projects.
Rubin Whitmore II
Film & Media Maker/Film Professor/Father
Panelist
Rubin Whitmore II was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is a self-acknowledged public school kid. An original music video teenager, who by the age of 13 had created a bunch of video shorts in various genres from suspense to westerns and sci-fi. Rubin has been invited to lecture on media’s impact on society and his music videos experiences at universities from Clark Atlanta University to North Carolina Central University, from his alma mater the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh to Savannah College of Art & Design. He is a veteran filmmaker with close to one hundred film projects, ranging from documentaries to music videos. Rubin has amassed over fifteen gold, platinum and multi-platinum plaques for producing and directing music videos and currently directs music videos under the pseudonym Ali Baba.
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Roberto Rivera
Founder/President, The Good Life Organization
Panelist
Roberta Rivera is an expert in connecting positive youth development to community development using culturally relevant methods specializing in Hiphop Culture as a vehicle. He has employed asset-based and social emotional learning principles for over ten years in community-based youth work in Los Angeles, Providence, RI, and Chicago. He has most recently been named one of the “Top Young Change Agents in America” by the Search for Common Ground Coalition, and in 2012 became a fellow through the Unreasonable Institute for his social entrepreneurship skills. Roberto speaks at national and international conferences expressing powerful learning lessons linking the asset framework to organizational and community efforts with and for young people. Since he was once labeled “at-risk” himself, Roberto passionately advocates for giving young people sufficient support and opportunities so they can take positive risks and become change agents themselves.
Sarah Dollhausen
Founder/Executive Director, TRUE Skool, Inc.
Panelist
Sarah Dollhausen, the Founder and Executive Director of TRUE Skool, began working with youth through her work as an IT Professional in 1999 at a youth center on the south side of Milwaukee. There, Sarah started helping out with the computer lab after school, then teaching computer classes. As she began to see young people lose interest in learning technology, Sarah started to introduce Hip Hop as a tool to attract them into this specific learning environment. From there, Sarah moved on to a another youth serving agency and began a cultural arts program based on what young people expressed they were interested in (music, art and dance… specifically the elements of Hip Hop) and from there the idea of an youth organization focused on using Hip Hop began. The goal was to use Hip Hop culture as a tool to engage youth in learning new skills (technology, writing, music production, art, etc) and to also address issues youth and adults saw in their communities. As she began to see young people come out of their shell, learn new skills and showcase them in ways that also empowered them and uplifted their self esteem and self image, she knew this form of Hip Hop infused youth work was the future. Over the years TRUE Skool has transformed to the youth and community serving organization you see today. We use the urban arts to engage youth in social justice, leadership, civic engagement and community service, without losing the culture and elements of Hip Hop.
Mr. Len
Performer
Mr. Len is a hip hop DJ from Bronx, New York. Jean Grae's tour DJ and a member with Bigg Jus and El-P, of the underground hip hop trio Company Flow, which disbanded in the late-1990s, reuniting on occasion since for festivals. Prior to the Company Flow break up, Mr. Len and co-host Big Nige (Nigel Wright) hosted the ultra successful radio show called "The Official Hip Hop Show" broadcast from WRSU-FM. The "Official" show was nationally recognized as not only leader in the advancement of underground rap music, but also one of the best rap radio shows in the New York metropolitan area.
KILLwaukee Xperiment
Viva Fidel & Gat Turner
Performers
Not the traditional rap artists: Gat Turner & Viva Fidel are also activists with a genuine love for their community. In addition to the banging beats, they also have developed a way to engage youth and elders in critical conversations through music.
Their resumes include rocking the same stages with artists such as Wyclef Jean, Raheem Devaughn, Dead Prez, Wise Intelligent, Mike Jones, Young Jeezy, to name a few. They have worked tirelessly in youth development on every level from elementary, all the way up to the University. Not only are they in the studio constantly, they are also in the streets and in the community events, where Hip Hop has its roots. The "Killwaukee Xperiment" will include an inside view into their creative process and community work through online interaction and coverage.
Special guests including Shelly Davis, Firey Pheonix, Becca Jahceen and Melissa Blue. The mixtape also features veteran DJ and producer , DJ Supreme.
Fidel Verdin
Panel Moderator/Show Host/Performer
More than an performing Artist, Viva Fidel has effectively used HIPHOP as a vehicle internationally for political and social change. Fidel has earned many titles ranging from Motivational Counselor, Lecturer, Organizer, Freelance Journalist, Actor as well as Music & Film Producer. He understands the popularity of Hip Hop is well respected in the industry, without compromising meaning or mission. Music with substance has become one method of delivering his important messages to the human family.
Genesis Renji
Performer
Born in Maryland, Genesis Renji began writing music and poetry after his family moved to Milwaukee, WI in 2000. An up-and-coming Hip-Hop artist, Genesis is prominently known for his spoken word as well as his music. A previous member of the 2010 Wisconsin Brave New Voices International poetry team, as well as a recent member of the 2011 Milwaukee Slam Team. Genesis is working to become a known name in Hip-Hop worldwide.