PITTSBURGH – Hip-hop could put the next president in the White House.

Before you call it over the top – like Lamborghini rhymes by a broke rapper – know that in the key electoral state of Pennsylvania, the organization 1 Hood power he imported a listing of Hall of Fame rappers to mobilize voters. Fat Joe, Jeezy, Common, Cordae, Bun B, Redman, Method Man and Lupe Fiasco got here to Pittsburgh to debate what’s at stake on Election Day. Actors Kerry Washington, Brian Tyree Henry and Viola Davis also responded to 1Hood’s call to motion.

The rappers have brought many years of influence, legions of listeners and greater than 24 million Instagram followers to the state that may likely decide whether Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump wins the Nov. 5 election. In 2020, Joe Biden defeated Trump by 80,555 votes in Pennsylvania. It needs to be much closer this 12 months, in accordance with current polls in Pennsylvania Harris and Trump tied. So every bar these artists spat on stage, every quote they delivered on a panel carries weight.

“We use hip-hop culture to build community strength” Brave Xthe rapper, founder and CEO of 1Hood told me. “Using merch, using the entire artistic legacy of hip-hop to actually change the lives of our community.”

As Jeezy said in the Andscape documentary culture and the president have gone hand in hand from the very starting. From the New York City Breakers acting at Ronald Reagan’s inaugural gala in 1984 to Harris hosting Lil Wayne, Remy Ma and other rappers for a “hip-hop party” at her official residence last 12 months to rejoice the genre’s fiftieth anniversary, politicians and rappers have long exploited one another for popularity and influence.

Trump is not any exception – he welcomed rapper Kanye West to the Oval Office, pardoned Lil Wayne and Kodak Black, who supported him at the time, and now supports him with major stars reminiscent of Sexy Red and Benny The Butcher. However, to this point, hip-hop has not made a consistent and arranged effort in support of Trump, which makes the actions of Jasiri X and 1Hood much more vital.

Another notable aspect of the 1Hood movement is how it really works from the ground up. 1Hood helped elect city council members, county executives and judges who support Black and Latino communities. In 2021, the organization helped elect the first Black mayor in the history of Pittsburgh, which can have a Black population of roughly 23.1% in 2022. In 2022, 1Hood helped make Summer Lee the first Black woman to represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Now Jasiri X and his team have done it ear Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, working on the transition team that helped fill the Shapiro administration. And they’ll put rap legends and movie stars on the same stage – like Tuesday night when Jasiri X interviewed Davis at a theater in Pittsburgh to field voters. The event was a collaboration between 1Hood and Hip-Hop Political Education Summit, which organized similar online events in 2020. 1Hood can even stream a conversation with Davis together with others from the Black and Brown Men & the Vote summit starting November 1 on the Breakbeat Media YouTube page.

“We hope that we can bring the culture to Pennsylvania, which will become a decider state,” said Jasiri X. “Obviously, I’m someone who wants Kamala Harris to win. I definitely don’t want Trump to win. We did just that in 2020 – winning Pennsylvania put Joe Biden in the White House. So we hope we can do the same in this election.”

Bakari Kitwanawriter and long-time political organizer of hip-hop, confirmed the importance of 1Hood’s work. “They do it at the grassroots level of the community, mobilizing people, getting information from the community and having conversations with the community,” Kitwana said. “They have built a level of credibility in the community as a trusted voice for people who are not here seeking their own gain. So I think the work has the potential to go much further.”

Jasiri X looks at this horizon.

“What if we start creating policies that actually change the living conditions of these communities so that they are no longer the places that cause all this violence and harm?” he said. “We have the power to do that.

“We are the No. 1 music genre in the world. We have the power to vary and influence not only the next leader of the United States, but we actually influence the policies that impact our communities day-after-day. That’s what I’d wish to see.”

The importance of the presentation was embedded in Mirny Jose heart since she was just a little girl. Her mother all the time placed great importance on learn how to do that Jose she showed her hair. Jose’s upbringing is comparable to that of other women of color who cope with textured hair. Throughout her childhood, she relied heavily on her mother for normal ejaculations, relaxers, and colourful outfits. It was only when she was about to go away for school that Jose faced the challenge of learning to style her own hair.

“My mom gave me a crash course in hair styling. I needed to quickly learn to the touch up the color, loosen up, and roll a series. She even bought me a conveyable hair dryer. The need to search out her roots made her fall in love with the experience.

With only 7.3% of U.S. fashion designers identifying as black, McDonald’s is working to fill the fashion industry’s diversity gap.

The international fast food chain’s Change of Fashion Black & Positively Golden (B&PG) program launched its “Show Out and Show Out in Black” initiative during New York Fashion Week (NYFW) in September, but its mission to support and highlight diverse designers goes beyond the most vital fashion month.

Through the B&PG program and its latest initiative, five Black designers have turn out to be protégés of seasoned fashion insiders. These professionals, like LaQuan Smith, shared their insights to achieve insight into the industry.

During this yr’s NYFW, experts organized a gathering and symposium during which they told their stories. This was accompanied by the “Show up and show up in black” movement. All events are designed to advertise future generations of Black pioneers in fashion.

“Seeing the challenges and underrepresentation that Black designers face in the fashion industry, I am thrilled to support their incredible talent through McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden Change of Fashion program,” said journalist and former editor-in-chief Elaine Welteroth, in a press release. “During New York Fashion Week, a highly coveted moment on the fashion calendar, I look forward to fans joining the Show Up and Show Out in Black movement, using their style and platforms to support Black designers. It’s time to celebrate the community’s contributions and drive meaningful change towards a more inclusive fashion industry.”

McDonald’s has also partnered with Black Owned Everything for fans patronize these clothing brands. People on the platform who make a purchase order can even receive a “Show Up and Show Up in Black” badge, spreading awareness of the movement.

“It’s time for the industry to shine a light and pay tribute to the incredible creativity, perseverance and achievements of Black fashion designers,” said Black Owned Everything founder Zerina Akers. “Black Owned Everything is proud to support McDonald’s Show Up and Show Out in Black movement to celebrate Black-owned businesses, community and inclusion.”

You can learn more ways to support and take heed to the journey of those emerging designers through ChangeofFashion.com.