Author: Hip Hop Caucus

In New Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% Coolest Show on Climate Change Episode Actresses Support Community Driven Solutions

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today Hip Hop Caucus’ Think 100% The Coolest Show on Climate Change podcast released an all new and special Valentine’s Day episode that features two of the foremost women of color in entertainment working towards a just solution to the climate crisis and bringing awareness to the environmental justice movement. 

The powerful conversation between special guest Regina Hall and Think 100% special host Antonique Smith presents a dynamic and holistic perspective on how we can strengthen our communities and solve the climate crisis together. Hip Hop Caucus is teaming up with The Solutions Project to launch the special episode during Black History Month to highlight the leadership of women, Black & Brown folx, and creatives in the climate movement, and to inspire world leaders to act on the climate crisis.

“We and the planet are mutually dependent on each other.  Our mama earth sustains our lives and in turn she deserves our fierce protection, love and respect,” said award-winning actress, producer, and artivist Regina Hall. “We must all work together to support the environmental solutions that frontline leaders, particularly in communities of color, are spearheading to end the climate crisis and uplift our world.“ 

The two acclaimed artists and climate justice advocates discuss their love and commitment to ‘Mama Earth’, the opportunity in the transition to clean energy to address the racial wealth gap, and the need for divestment from fossil fuels and investment in equitable solutions. They also explore the importance of building a more inclusive and diverse climate movement by supporting organizations led and operated by women and people of color.

“There is no movement without women, and if you want to win a movement, follow Black women,” said Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., President & CEO of Hip Hop Caucus. “Seeing amazing artists like Regina Hall and Antonique Smith lay out a blueprint to the climate crisis that works for everyone energizes our hearts and gives us hope. We all love the planet — on Valentine’s Day and every day — and want to do the best for our communities now and for future generations. It’s going to take all of us to push our leaders to make the changes required and I commend these two phenomenal  ‘artivists’ for using their platforms to broaden the climate movement and inspire action.” 

Known for her most recent role as Dawn on Black Monday, and films Girls Trip, The Hate You Give, and the Scary Movie series, Regina Hall recently became the first African American to win the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress for her role in 2018’s Support the Girls. She also is an advisor and donor to The Solutions Project. Since 2019 Regina has used her weekly #WCW post to elevate the work of incredible Black and Brown women who are often underrepresented leaders in the movement. Follow Regina on social media @MoreReginaHall to learn more about her work in the environmental justice movement. 

Watch this Think 100% episode, subscribe to the podcast, and learn more about the platform at Think100.info and follow @Think100Show on social media. 

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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’ award-winning climate communications platform, visit Think100.info and follow @Think100Show.

About The Solutions Project: The Solutions Project is a grantmaking, storytelling, and capacity building organization that is accelerating the transition to 100% clean energy for all by championing a movement that is more inclusive, more collaborative, and more celebratory. Learn more at thesolutionsproject.org.

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.