Last night the stars were out and shining bright in Washington, DC as they gathered with host LaLa Anthony for the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) along with PHILANTHROPIK‘s HIP-HOP INAUGURAL BALL II, in celebration of the Hip-Hop community’s role in the 2012 Election and promoting political awareness. Actress and television personality La La Anthony together with actor and E! News anchor Terrence J served as hosts at the black tie, charity gala which was held at The Harman Center for the Arts. The brainchild of event chairs Russell Simmons and Zach McDaniels, the HEINEKEN USA sponsored Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball was one of the hottest ticket of the Inaugural weekend, celebrating the hip-hop community’s role in popular culture and the 2012 election. 2 Chainz, John Legend, Eva Longoria, Swizz Beatz, Pharrell Williams, Jadakiss, Brandy, LOS, Tank, Lance Gross, 9th Wonder and Raheem DeVaughn and more were amongst the many in attendance to celebrate the role that hip-hop played in registering and mobilizing voters during this election cycle.
Lifetime Achievement honoree MC Lyte was honored with a special tribute performance by fellow ladies of hip-hop Yo-Yo, Smooth and Lil Mama. The Human Beat Box , hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh also received a Lifetime Achievement award.
This year, special acknowledgment was made in recognition of the role the Hispanic/Latina hip-hop community played in galvanizing large numbers of Hispanics to vote by honoring VOTO LATINO . Actress Rosario Dawson accepted an award on behalf of Voto Latino, the non-partisan organization she co-founded to bring new and diverse voices into the political process by engaging youth, media, technology and celebrities to promote positive change. A special recognition was also given to honor Dr. Benjamin Chavis, HSAN President, and his work as a mentor and advocate within the hip-hop community and for his life-long commitment to the Civil Rights Movement. The governor of North Carolina recently pardoned him and ten others who were falsely convicted and imprisoned for arson in the historic “Wilmington Ten” case.
The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball is a charity fundraiser and all ticket proceeds going to PHILANTHROPIK, a non-profit committed to supporting programs and initiatives that empower the community and inspire young people to be philanthropic.
