Bay Area rappers San Quinn and Balance will join the Hip-Hop Chess Federation in a special event on Thursday (Feb 28) to teach Middle School in El Sobrante, CA students the importance of choosing a positive lifestyle.
The two indie artists will appear on a panel alongside HHCF co-founder Adisa Banjoko, presenting students with a look at how to learn from Hip-Hop and Black History to create effective life strategies, helping Juan Crespi Middle School close out Black History Month.
"Too many times, when Hip-Hop is in the news, they're highlighting something negative," says Balance. "We want to make sure we show the kids the positive aspects of what we do and how they can make better choices for themselves."
In addition to the panel, Juan Crespi students with an interest in the game of chess will receive free accounts on www.chesspark.com, an online community that brings casual and club players together.
The students will also receive a limited number of copies of Ubisoft's Chessmaster 11 game and the book The Art of Learning: A Journey In The Pursuit of Excellence.
The Federation, which uses music, chess and martial arts to foster unity and non-violence, believes that giving teens access to athletes, artists and chess players, they will in turn be inspired to enhance their academic and social life.
"Despite the system's best efforts and intentions, and the efforts of overworked parents, the past generations have suffered from [a] lack of suitable education and essential resources required for a successful required for a successful life," explains Banjoko. "No one has been able to reach the hearts of today's youth like rappers."
For San Quinn, the ability to speak to these kids is mutually beneficial.
"It's important to take time with the youth because we had leader to inspire us [too]," he says. "They need to see that we look up to them for being in school. They are the future."
Founded by award wining lecturer and author Banjoko and Leo "Blast" Libiran, the Hip Hop Chess Federation provides recreational activities, life strategy workshops, and sponsor-supported education scholarships.
The organization's primary initiative is to provide an inclusive setting for individuals to interact, play and develop life strategy skills, based on studies the benefits of chess in developing patience, personal accountability, focus, and emotional maturity.
