From Wes Jackson, Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival Chair:
Our mission here at the Brooklyn Bodega and with the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival has always been to shine the light on a side of Hip-Hop culture that many miss. During this journey we have met a lot of good people and organizations with the same mission.  From powerHouse to Rare Form.  We have found that the biggest obstacle to the successful execution of all of our programs is money.  We have been able to mitigate that burden through the generosity of our sponsors, but more importantly it has been the people we serve who have consistently supported us.  As we move forward with our 2008 programming and beyond we wanted to involve the people in a real way.  So to that end we are launching SUPPORT, CELEBRATE, REPRESENT.

Brooklyn Bodega needs the people’s support from every angle. From their attendance, their input, their energy, to their financial support. The support from BHF sponsors only gets us so far. The cost of talent, port a potty’s, security, insurance can really add up.  As opposed to other Festivals we so not have ticket revenue or public funding to help with these costs.  After one of our sponsors unexpectedly went bankrupt in 2007 it was the people who came to our aid with donations of $5, $10, and sometimes $100. 

We need your support again. We have expanded our programming for 2008 to include a film series, an additional outdoor date and a tour. And our costs have grown with our vision.  Again sponsors will help but it won’t work without you. For those who are able to donate to our cause you will keep the financial burden off of those who can’t. The young kids who need to see the inspirational artists that grace our stage. The Young Hip-Hop families like mine who simply can’t afford to spend $100 to see a Hip-Hop show.  Those of us who are just struggling to make ends meet in this tough economy. 

Should they be shut out from this because that money for a ticket is being spent on a Metro Card or a student loan? We don’t think so.”

Brooklyn Bodega asking for a minimum donation of $10 to help in this fight. Of course if you can give $20 or $50 you would be doing even more to fight this good fight. Our ambitious goal is to raise $250,000 this year.

But this money is not just for the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, it will go to support our partners including powerHouse Books.  As all members of the Bodega community know we are not just here for our own property. We provide marketing and production services to a whole range of cultural programmers and producers. As a part of SUPPORT, CELEBRATE, REPRESENT we have created a network of these fellow solders.

If we can raise $250,000 that will mean a top notch Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, and more exhibitions for young artists at the powerHouse Arena.  And so much more as artists and organizations join the SUPPORT, CELEBRATE, REPRESENT network.And all of this will be funded by the people.

But we don’t just want your money, we want your input.  Your $10 will give you a piece of this event that we are producing.  We want to group source the Festival from beginning to end. From fundraising to talent.  Through our relationship with SayNow supporters can call the special BHF number and get updates as well as leave suggestions as to who should be the headliner or the opening act.

We are breaking down the barriers that Hip-Hop has placed on itself. We are bringing it back to the days of the jams in the Bronx. The Block parties in San Francisco. The bbq’s in Atlanta.

We are bringing it back to the people ~ SUPPORT, CELEBRATE, REPRESENT.