

Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. is the President &CEO of Hip Hop Caucus, a minister, community activist, U.S. Air Force veteran, and one of the most influential people in Hip Hop political life.
Rev Yearwood entered the world of Hip Hop Politics as a Political and Grassroots Director. To carry the energy of the efforts beyond election day, he founded Hip Hop Caucus in September of 2004. The goal of Hip Hop Caucus is to build a powerful and sustainable organization for the culture’s role in the civic process and empowerment of communities impacted first and worst by injustice.
As a non-profit, non-partisan, multi-issue organization, Hip Hop Caucus focuses on addressing core issues impacting underserved and vulnerable communities, with programs and campaigns that support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders. Through a collaborative network, Hip Hop Caucus holds elected officials accountable, shapes policy, and builds more diverse and powerful movements to ignite positive change.
After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Rev Yearwood established the award winning Gulf Coast Renewal Campaign where he led a coalition of national and grassroots organizations to advocate for the rights of Katrina survivors. The coalition successfully stopped early rounds of illegal evictions of Katrina survivors from temporary housing, held police and government entities accountable for injustices committed during the emergency response efforts, supported the United Nations “right to return” policies for internally displaced persons, promoted comprehensive federal recovery legislation, and campaigned against increased violence resulting from lack of schools and jobs in the years after Katrina.
In 2008, Rev Yearwood led Hip Hop Caucus’ launch of Respect My Vote!, a campaign and coalition that works with Hip Hop artists to engage young people in the electoral process. Since its inception, numerous celebrity partners have joined the campaign during election cycles to reach their fan bases, including T.I., 2 Chainz, Amber Rose, Future, Keyshia Cole, Vic Mensa, Charlamagne tha God, Keke Palmer, Omar Epps, and more. The campaign has registered and mobilized tens of thousands of young voters to the polls and in 2008 set a world record of registering the most voters in one day (32,000 people across 16 U.S. cities). Respect My Vote! is the longest running hip hop oriented voter engagement program, having been active in United States elections for over 10 years.
As a national leader and pacemaker within the Green Movement, Rev Yearwood has been successfully bridging the gap between communities of color and environmental issue advocacy. With a diverse set of celebrity allies, he has raised awareness and action in communities that are often overlooked by traditional environmental campaigns and elected officials. His innovative stance has garnered the Hip Hop Caucus support from several environmental leaders including the Sunrise Movement, League of Conservation Voters, Earthjustice, and Zero Hour.
He is a leader in campaigns calling for divestment from fossil fuels causing climate change, increasing diversity in the climate movement, ensuring everyone has clean water and air, and international efforts to address climate change. He has also fought on the frontlines for vulnerable communities, including at the international climate negotiations in Paris and efforts to fight new oil pipeline developments in Maryland and at Standing Rock. He has received numerous awards for his work, including being dubbed as a New Green Hero by Rolling Stone and recognized by the Obama White House as a Champion of Change.
In 2018, he helped launch Think 100%, Hip Hop Caucus’ award-winning climate communications and activism platform. Comprised of podcast, film, music, and activism opportunities, the platform challenges environmental injustices and shares just solutions to the climate crisis, including a transition to 100% renewable energy for all. More at Think 100%.
Related News and Media


A Conversation with Justin J. Pearson, Attorney Ben Crump, and Rev Yearwood

“Hotter Planet, Hotter Politics” feat. Bill McKibben and Rev Yearwood at Paul Smith’s College

The Rise of The Hip Hop Caucus: 20 Years pushing the envelope of change w/ CEO Rev Yearwood

Rev Yearwood on the 1Hood Media podcast “This Week in White Supremacy”

Leah Penniman and Reverend Lennox Yearwood on food, farming, faith, and hip-hop

Putting It All on the Line with Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. and Jacqueline Patterson

Rev Yearwood Testifies in Congress on Climate Change

Rev Yearwood and the Hip Hop Caucus Not Missing a Beat

Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., the President & CEO of Hip Hop Caucus, Speaking in front of Lincoln Memorial

Rev. Lennox Yearwood Mixes Hip Hop And Hope To Tackle Climate Justice

Reverend Lennox Yearwood Jr. Makes Passionate Speech for Green New Deal

Senator Markey, Reverend Yearwood of Hip Hop Caucus Talk Green New Deal Movement on Latest Episode of “The Ed Markey Podcast”

Taboo Of Black Eyed Peas & Hip Hop Caucus’ Rev Yearwood Asked Police “Where is the love?” during Standing Rock Protest

The Hip Hop Caucus: Moving Democracy Forward (Feat. Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr.)

Vermont Conversation: Rev. Lennox Yearwood on why ‘racial justice is climate justice’

When The Movement is Strong, The Music is Strong feat. Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr.

Hip Hop Caucus President & CEO Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. to Deliver Commencement Addresses at Paul Smith’s College and The Piney Woods School

Hip Hop Caucus President & CEO Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. Named to Forbes’ Inaugural Sustainability Leaders List

Green 2.0 Podcast: The Intersectionality of the Climate Movement featuring Rev Yearwood

American Bar Association Chair Chat: Reverend Lennox Yearwood, Jr.

Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. to Keynote the CEEJH-UMD Symposium on Environmental Justice & Health Disparities

Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. Provides Remarks during the 2023 Green 2.0 NGO and Foundation Transparency Report Card Release

Keeping It Cool with Melissa Jun Rowley and Rev Yearwood – LinkedIn Live
