Category: Press

WASHINGTON — Today, Hip Hop Caucus Executive Vice President and former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Education Tanya Clay House issued the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Court 6-3 decision in the Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina and Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard cases on affirmative action:

“Justice Jackson said it best, Our country has never been colorblind. Today’s decision on affirmative action has not only overturned decades of precedent, but signals The United States Supreme Court’s hostility toward proven policies that have provided equitable opportunities for underrepresented minority students in higher education. Structural racism continues to exist in this nation, despite those who would like to create revisionist history and ignore the impacts of racism upon communities of color in our society. For nearly 50 years, affirmative action in higher education has expanded racial equity and diversity – fostering an immediate benefit to each and every one of us that also echoes and extends for generations. Students of color, particularly Black students, continue to face systemic barriers in the higher education system, and scaling back affirmative action not only impacts their educational opportunities but also socioeconomic mobility for generations.

“As a graduate of both the University of Michigan and the University of Texas School of Law who’s affirmative action programs have been at the center of legal challenges for decades,  I know that these programs at these institutions had a significant and positive impact upon my professional and personal trajectory.  The diversity at these institutions was minimal even with the affirmative action programs during my attendance, and while at the University of Texas, the number of Black students in the class entering after me dropped from over 30 to 4.  As a Black woman who has had to work twice as hard to reaffirm my professional worth in this society that is based on a legacy of discrimination, it is astounding that this Court is attempting to turn a blind eye to the continued institutional racism that exists in this society.”

Our democracy demands that we work together to tear down barriers of opportunity in education and ensure that pathways in higher education and leadership are open and accessible to all, especially for communities of color and other historically marginalized communities. When everyone has fair access to higher education, we all benefit. Unfortunately, that day is still not here. Despite the constant attacks on civil rights, we are stronger than ever in our collective power, and we remain committed to racial justice and equal opportunity.”

About Hip Hop Caucus 

Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) 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 network, HHC addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. HHC programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders.

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WASHINGTON — Today, Hip Hop Caucus Executive Vice President, Campaigns and Advocacy, Tanya Clay House issued the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Court 6-3 decision in Moore v. Harper case of on Independent State Legislature Theory:

“Hip Hop Caucus applauds the United States Supreme Court decision in the voting rights case Moore v. Harper, rejecting North Carolina lawmaker’s attempt to remove the role of courts in our election process. Our democracy is built on a system of checks and balances to maintain level power across our branches of government. 

Therefore, state courts absolutely must be empowered to provide oversight of elections. State legislatures should not have independent, unchecked power to gerrymander voting maps, enact discriminatory voting laws, or manipulate elections for partisan benefit. Fairness in our electoral system and government are imperative and this decision is a step toward making sure that the will of the majority of the people is truly represented. While we applaud this decision, the Hip Hop Caucus still emphasizes the urgent need for Congress to fulfill its duties and pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Advancement Act in order to further reaffirm the voting rights protections of all citizens.”

About Hip Hop Caucus 

Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) 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 network, HHC addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. HHC programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders.

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WASHINGTON — Today, Hip Hop Caucus Executive Vice President, Campaigns and Advocacy, Tanya Clay House issued the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Court decision in the Louisiana case of racial gerrymandering:

“Hip Hop Caucus applauds the United States Supreme Court’s decision dismissing the state of Louisiana’s appeal to avoid redrawing its congressional maps that dilute the power of Black voters. This Supreme Court decision remands the Louisiana case back to the 5th Circuit of Appeals, paves the way for a second majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana, and reaffirms the Supreme Court’s  Allen v. Milligan decision to uphold voting rights and prohibit racial gerrymandering. 

The Allen v. Milligan, ruling maintained that the Voting Rights Act continues to protect the ability of minority voters to  elect candidates of their choice in states where voting is racially polarized, like Louisiana, and where the Black population is intentionally underrepresented. Louisiana has six congressional districts and a Black population of 33 percent, yet only one Black congressional district. Math tells us that that should not be the case. 

Hip Hop Caucus supports redrawing Louisiana’s congressional maps to allow for fair representation and we will continue to fight against gerrymandering and other racialized threats to our democracy.”

About Hip Hop Caucus 

Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) 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 network, HHC addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. HHC programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders.

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WASHINGTON — Today, Hip Hop Caucus Executive Vice President, Campaigns and Advocacy, Tanya Clay House issued the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Court decision in the Allen v. Milligan case of racial gerrymandering in Alabama:

“Hip Hop Caucus applauds the United States Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in the case of Allen v. Milligan to uphold voting rights and prohibit racial gerrymandering. This decision maintains the Voting Rights Act protections that voting district lines must be drawn fairly to allow minority voters a chance to elect candidates of their choice in states where voting is racially polarized. 

Gerrymandering, especially racial gerrymandering, is an insidious threat to our democracy. It undercuts voters and helps create systemic apathy that aims to keep Black voters from the polls and encourages people to believe that their votes do not matter.

We know the tremendous power that is held in every single vote.  This ruling reiterates that it is imperative that our voting laws and maps must consider race as a factor to prevent discrimination in the right to vote. Black voters have historically been disenfranchised and continue to face resistance in the electoral process through targeted voter suppression and intimidation practices. This ruling is a reaffirmation that we must continually be diligent in our efforts to protect the right to vote.

Hip Hop Caucus encourages racially-polarized states, like those in the U.S. South, to immediately redistrict where necessary to fairly represent the Black populations in their states and provide opportunity for a fair representative voice in government.”

About Hip Hop Caucus 

Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) 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 network, HHC addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. HHC programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders.

WASHINGTON — Today, Hip Hop Caucus President and CEO Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. issued the following statement in response to the Atlanta City Council’s vote to approve $67 million in funding for Cop City in Atlanta:

“Today, the Atlanta City Council passed $67 million in funding for Cop City, by an 11-4 margin, after more than 15 hours of near-unanimous public comments against it. While the Council’s decision is deeply disappointing and harrowing for the city’s public safety, this was a historic 24 hours for resistance. 

The people fighting back shattered every record of public turnout in Atlanta, Georgia and made it clear, unequivocally, that Atlanta residents are against Cop City. Over a thousand people turned out to speak and our resistance will continue with a week of action at the end of June. 

Hip Hop Caucus will not be slowed down by today’s decision. We will continue to build power with the local community and hold elected officials accountable.”

About Hip Hop Caucus 

Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) 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 network, HHC addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. HHC programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders.

U.S. Senator Cory Booker, Representatives Barbara Lee and Raúl Grijalva awarded for climate and environmental justice leadership

WASHINGTON – Hip Hop Caucus, a national nonprofit organization that uses the power of hip-hop culture to advance civil and human rights, recognized Congressional environmental justice champions U.S. Senator Cory Booker and Representatives Barbara Lee and Raúl Grijalva with the inaugural A. Donald McEachin award at a reception on Capitol Hill on Thursday, April 20, 2023. In honor of the late Congressman and environmental justice advocate A. Donald McEachin, the award is bestowed to Congressional members who exemplifies leadership on racial justice and environmental justice on behalf of disadvantaged communities.

“Hip Hop Caucus is honored to recognize the powerful contributions of Senator Booker, Congresswoman Lee and Congressman Grijalva in support of climate and environmental justice, and celebrate the legacy of the late Congressman A. Donald McEachin’s trailblazing work, said Tanya Clay House, Executive Vice President, Campaigns and Advocacy at Hip Hop Caucus. “As we celebrate fifty years of hip-hop this year, we continue to highlight the myriad of ways that hip-hop has been a vehicle for showcasing the realities of climate and environmental injustices and shifting culture to enact effective solutions. We look forward to deepening our ongoing work with Congressional leaders from across the aisle to protect the health of our people and our planet.”

Senator Cory Booker is a long-time climate and environmental justice advocate, dating back to his tenure as Mayor of Newark, New Jersey. Senator Booker is also the co-founder of the Senate’s Environmental Justice Caucus. 

Representative Barbara Lee is the former chair and current ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for State and Foreign Operations that has purview over international climate finance. Representative Lee is also the former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and former co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. 

Representative Raúl Grijalva is the former chair and current ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee. In 2022, Representative Grijalva opposed permitting reforms that would sacrifice frontline communities and gut bedrock environmental laws like the Clean Air Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

All three Congressional members have been leaders on advancing the Environmental Justice Act for All. 

“I just want to thank the Hip Hop Caucus for creating the A. Donald McEachin award in recognition of the unwavering work that my husband did in the areas of climate and environmental justice,” said Congressman McEachin’s wife and Commonwealth’s Attorney for Richmond, Virginia Colette Wallace McEachin through video remarks at the award reception. “And I also want to thank Congressman Grijalva, Congresswoman Lee and Senator Booker in carrying on the legacy of my husband and reintroducing the EJ (Environmental Justice) For All bill.”

Hip Hop Caucus unveiled its 2023 policy and legislative agenda at the award reception, highlighting strategic long-term goals for the liberation and empowerment of communities of color. Hip Hop Caucus’ 2023 policy and legislative agenda includes organizational priorities for campaigns and advocacy efforts related to democratic policy, climate and environmental justice, criminal justice, education, health care, LGBTQIA+ rights, and economic justice. 

For more information about Hip Hop Caucus, visit hiphopcaucus.org. 

About Hip Hop Caucus

Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) 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 network, HHC addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. HHC programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders.

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WASHINGTON — Today, Hip Hop Caucus President and CEO Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. issued the following statement in response to the shooting of 16-year-old Ralph Yarl and the felony charges filed against Andrew Lester:

“Hip Hop Caucus extends love to 16-year-old Ralph Yarl who was shot twice by Andrew Lester, an 85-year-old white man in Kansas City, Missouri. This act of violence is a painful reminder of the constant perceived threat embedded in the simple existence of Black lives. It is heartbreaking that multiple adults refused to help Ralph as he was injured and bleeding. Black people, especially our youth, deserve to live freely without the insidious violence of anti-Black racism.

We have seen time and time again how guns do not make us safer. Instead, America’s over-reliance and abundance of guns coupled with sparse regulation and oversight, destroys lives. Though incidents of gun violence are in front of us every day, tragedies like this should not keep happening.

Hip Hop Caucus calls for swift justice in this case, comprehensive action from our elected officials on our nation’s gun crisis, and justice for Ralph Yarl.”

About Hip Hop Caucus 

Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) 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 network, HHC addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. HHC programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders.

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Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released their proposed rule to reduce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. Although trucks make up less than 10 percent of vehicles on the road, they spew the majority of hazardous air pollutants, including 63% of NOx pollution.

In response, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., president and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus, released the following statement:

While attending the EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency) Clean Transportation announcement today, Hip Hop Caucus let EPA Administrator Regan know that we are here to help push for stronger emissions standards that benefit Black, Brown and low-income communities that are harmed first and worst by pollution. These rules announced today will lead to cleaner trucks and cars on the roads if implemented fully. Of particular need is the heavy-duty vehicles (HDV) rule which addresses the trucks that make up only a tenth of all the vehicles on the road but are responsible for over quarter of all emissions from the transportation sector. Some estimates show that transitioning to zero-emission trucks could save nearly 67,000 lives and prevent premature deaths and chronic respiratory illnesses, particularly in low-income and redlined communities located near major trucking corridors. While this is just another first step for the Biden Administration, along with providing credits for affordable electric vehicles and providing equitable funding for transitioning to the green economy, it is a major step in the right direction. However, until these rules are finalized, Hip Hop Caucus will continue pushing against dirty vehicles and pushing for clean cars for all.