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With March being recognized nationwide as Women’s History Month, New Jersey’s Hip-Hop Association is joining forces with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and Rutgers University to host an all-star women’s discussion on the importance of females in Hip-Hop.

Officially christened Ladies First! Elevating Women in the 21st Century, the panel features femcee icon and business entrepreneur Dr. Roxanne Shante, AllHipHop.com Marketing VP Jamilah B. Creekmur, Toni Blackman (Founder of Lyrical Ambassador/Echoing Green Fellow), and Dawn Lewis (Founder of Pooka Pure and Simple).

Moderating the panel is Martha Diaz, president and founder of the Hip-Hop Association.

Seeking to address the marginalization of female voices in Hip-Hop and minority women at large, the panel will review tangible steps to achieve “female empowerment and community building” through education and economic development.

Following the discussion will be a special workshop debut of the Ladies First Fund.

The fellowship will require grantees to create and execute a community action plan combating pertinent female issues such as domestic violence, illiteracy, and homelessness in Newark, New Jersey.

The selected hopefuls will have one year to complete their projects, and will have the complete resources of Rutger’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development.

The Ladies First panel will begin Monday (March 30) at 5:30 PM in Rutger’s Bove Auditorium at Engelhard Hall.