USDOL Sponsors Webinar with YDRF on Recruiting and Engaging Older, Out-of-School Youth
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Speaker tells kids the rules of hip-hop survivalOriginally posted February 16, 2004. Edward DeJesus is well-versed in the unique, rhythmic lingo of the streets. He knows hip-hop-speak. He knows the good, the uplifting. He's familiar with the bad, the counterproductive. And he's got a hip-hop message of his own that he is rapidly taking to the streets. To truly survive the 'hood requires rising above the old mantra — "keeping it real" — and stepping up to a new way of acting and thinking. He calls it "makin' it." "Keeping it real," DeJesus says, "is perpetuating the status quo." Makin' it, on the other hand, is doing those things that actively fuel success. A native of the Bronx, DeJesus, 39, has built a corporation selling the importance of education — using the same culture that sells everything from burgers to cars. As president and co-owner of the Maryland-based Youth Development Research Fund, DeJesus travels the country advocating for youth, providing training for teens and other youth advocates and leading rallies. As part of his Youth Empowerment Tour, the former vice president of The Source Entertainment will be in Greenville conducting a youth rally at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Allen Temple Community Development Center, 404 Vardry St. The event is free and targets preteens, teens and parents. Doug Davis of 107.3-JAMZ will host the rally. Through a mix of entertainment, education, food and fun, DeJesus will share tips from his "Makin' It — The Hip-Hop Guide to True Survival," a workbook that outlines what he calls universal hip-hop survival laws. The laws run the gamut, from defining survival as doing things that promote your life, freedom and further economic opportunity, to reminding teens that people, places and things should never lead them to danger. The tour is co-sponsored by GMAC Financial Services, and Verb, a campaign that encourages healthy lifestyles among youth ages 9-13. It is being brought to Greenville by the Workforce Development Program, a federally funded program designed to reinforce career skills. "So much reinforcement is needed," said Charlene Gilliam, coordinator for the Workforce Development Program. "We need to do a better job of preparing children. I think this is a positive thing. ...You pretty much have to meet (teens) where they are." DeJesus earned a bachelor's degree in political science and public administration from Fordham University and a master's in management and urban policy analysis from the New School for Social Research. A former program director for the National Youth Employment Coalition, he uses lyrics and images from the hip-hop culture to help teens discern any negative influences and change behavior. He makes it clear that when a teen skips school or drops out, he or she is losing money. A lot of money. Over a lifetime, a high-school diploma puts some $420,000 in your pocket, he says. By failing to complete high school and college, you will lose approximately $1,284,000 over a lifetime. "Don't let anybody mess with your money," DeJesus says. That's hip-hop survival law No. 6. For more information, call 233-7031. For information about DeJesus' book, check out www.ydrf.com. |
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Ed DeJesus is New Columnist in Youth Today Newspaper. Positive Music and Activities to Engage Students. |
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