IV 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 424 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 5, 2011 Ms. Waters submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce RESOLUTION Honoring the Cultural Initiative, Inc. on the 20th anniversary of the first hip hop conference at Howard University.

Whereas, on February 21, 2011, the Cultural Initiative, Inc. celebrated the 20th anniversary of the first national hip hop conference on the campus of Howard University; Whereas the students at Howard University along with Transatlantic Crossing Artist Management, Philadelphia International Records, and Black Nia F.O.R.C.E gave birth to what is now commonly referred to as the hip hop education movement; Whereas the inaugural national hip hop conference in 1991 resulted in the creation of the Cultural Initiative, Inc., the Howard University student-run corporation that was established to produce subsequent conferences and related projects; Whereas at the national hip hop conferences the Cultural Initiative, Inc. invited and meaningfully engaged a cross section of people including local and internationally renowned artists, Washington, DC, metro area public schools students, college students from across the country, and entertainment industry executives; Whereas prior to the birth of said hip hop conferences, there was no formal or informal national organized effort, student led or otherwise, to analyze and celebrate the intersection of hip hop art and culture, social justice, education, and academia; Whereas the Cultural Initiative, Inc. Hip Hop Music Conference, went on for 6 successful years producing seminars, summits, workshops, fashion shows, MC Showcases, DJ contests, and concerts all focused on educating aspiring artists and other industry related entrepreneurs, inspiring current artists and industry professionals, and positioning hip hop to the Nation as an art form that would define a culture, a generation, and change the social and economic paradigm for generations to come; Whereas early conference notables were artists and entrepreneurs such as Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Common, Queen Latifah, dream hampton, Keith Clinkscales, Heavy D, Chuck D, and Doug E. Fresh; Whereas the Cultural Initiative, Inc. conferences became known for their star appeal, opportunities to network and present your craft, information sharing, and cutting edge topics, all in a safe environment; Whereas the conferences received positive reviews for an unprecedented 6 years from the Washington Post, Billboard, Washington Times, Source, VIBE, and several industry and local media outlets along with countless independent media start ups and college media; and Whereas the national hip hop conferences of the 1990s were a pioneering force in delineating the difference between hip hop as commerce and hip hop as culture: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives honors the Cultural Initiative, Inc. on the 20th anniversary of the first hip hop conference at Howard University.