Hip Hop Caucus brings Ain’t Your Mama’s Heat Wave to Sundance Film Festival

Ain't Your Mama's Heat Wave

A comedy special and documentary show relevance of climate crisis for communities of color, inspiring media makers and creatives of color to tell more climate stories

PARK CITY, UTAH – Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% FILMS is providing the first look of its innovative and powerful climate-comedy film Ain’t Your Mama’s Heat Wave at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. The preview is taking place during an event Hip Hop Caucus is co-hosting at the MACRO Lodge, a hub for creatives of color at the festival. The film and event seek to connect the climate crisis to young and diverse audiences by increasing the number of culturally relevant climate stories being told and created by people of color.

Ain’t Your Mama’s Heat Wave is a gripping right now story of communities that are grappling with the climate crisis and the present day consequences of historic injustices and inequality. The film is centered on four young black stand up comedians, hailing from Norfolk, Atlanta, Chicago, and Ohio, and tells the story of their journey to the Hampton Roads region of Virginia to “make the climate crisis funny”. Things are not so funny when it’s clear the threats are so real and can mean life or death. But, in the African American tradition of struggle, resilience, and triumph in the face of existential threat, the joy of comedy, music, art, and dance informs and empowers. Full of relatable stories, grit, and beauty, the film shows that the climate crisis is much more than a crisis; it’s an opportunity for us to right wrongs and make life on this planet better for everyone.

“At a time when the stakes couldn’t be higher for our communities and planet, we are turning to storytellers to inspire people to act,” said Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., President & CEO of Hip Hop Caucus. “We need as many creatives and media makers in the climate movement as there are scientists, policy experts, and organizers. And this is especially important for people of color who are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis and are too often left out of the narrative on climate. Our powerful stories need to be told and the talent of creatives of color needs to be supported if we are going to solve the climate crisis. We thank MACRO Studios for hosting Ain’t Your Mama’s Heat Wave and Hip Hop Caucus at Sundance.”

The extended preview of the film is being shown at MACROLodge as part of “The New Climate Narrative: A forum for creatives who are solving the climate crisis”, an event co-hosted by Hip Hop Caucus, The Solutions Project, The Climate Mobilization, and NAACP. The event includes an intimate conversation about the solutions for the climate crisis from those disproportionately on the frontlines – communities of color and indigenous communities — with a lineup of speakers and panelists that includes Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. (Hip Hop Caucus), Jacqueline Patterson (Climate and Environmental Director, NAACP), Favianna Rodriguez (Culture Strike), Thomas Lopez (The International Indigenous Youth Council and Future Coalition), Margaret Klein Salamon (The Climate Mobilization), and Kat Steyer (Business and Philanthropic Leader).

If you are a member of the media and would like a first look at the Ain’t Your Mama’s Heat Wave trailer, sign up here.

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Media Contact: Mark Antoniewicz | e: media@hiphopcaucus.com | p: 202-740-1177

About Hip Hop Caucus: Established in 2004, Hip Hop Caucus is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that leverages Hip Hop culture to encourage young people to participate in the democratic process. Through a collaborative leadership and partnership network, Hip Hop Caucus addresses core issues impacting young people, underserved, and vulnerable communities. Hip Hop Caucus programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders. Learn more at HipHopCaucus.org and follow @hiphopcaucus on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. For more about Hip Hop Caucus’ climate communications platform, visit Think100climate.com.

Hip Hop Caucus Statement on Kobe and Gianna Bryant

LOS ANGELES, CA – In response to the news about the tragic accident that killed NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven other members of the Greater Los Angeles community, Mark Antoniewicz, Hip Hop Caucus Director of Communications, issued the following statement:

“This hurts. We mourn the losses of Kobe and Gianna Bryant immensely. Kobe was a legendary icon of our culture. His talents and spirit transcended generations, borders, and races. He personified hard work and dedication – both on and off the court – most importantly as a father. Both he and Gigi had so much ahead of them. We offer our sincerest condolences to the families of everyone lost in the tragic accident. May they all rest in power and let us continue to carry their spirits with us.”

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Media Contact: Mark Antoniewicz | e: media@hiphopcaucus.com | p: 202-740-1177

About Hip Hop Caucus: Established in 2004, Hip Hop Caucus is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that leverages Hip Hop culture to encourage young people to participate in the democratic process. Through a collaborative leadership and partnership network, Hip Hop Caucus addresses core issues impacting young people, underserved, and vulnerable communities. Hip Hop Caucus programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders. Learn more at HipHopCaucus.org and follow @hiphopcaucus on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Hip Hop Caucus Statement on President Trump’s Dirty Water Rule

Washington D.C. – The Trump administration is finalizing a rule that is expected to remove federal protections on tens of millions of people’s drinking water supplies. In response to the news about this rule that will strip protections in the Clean Water Act, Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., President & CEO of Hip Hop Caucus, issued the following statement:

“Clean water is foundational to our communities, our livelihood, and our future. The dismantling of the Clean Water Act puts all of these at risk and further deepens the health and opportunity inequities facing our low-income and communities of color. Clean water is a basic human right and there are lawmakers on both sides of the aisle that have consistently recognized the value of federal protections to safeguard America’s clean water. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration’s Dirty Water Rule is nothing more than a gift to corporate interests who will continue to profit from exploiting our water resources and humanity for their own financial gain. It’s time to stand for our communities, our well-being, for equity, and stand against this threat that puts profits over people.”

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Media Contact: Mark Antoniewicz | e: media@hiphopcaucus.com | p: 202-740-1177

About Hip Hop Caucus: Established in 2004, Hip Hop Caucus is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that leverages Hip Hop culture to encourage young people to participate in the democratic process. Through a collaborative leadership and partnership network, Hip Hop Caucus addresses core issues impacting young people, underserved, and vulnerable communities. Hip Hop Caucus programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders. Learn more at HipHopCaucus.org and follow @hiphopcaucus on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.