Chess Won't Let Hip Hop Die
The Hip Hop Chess Federation is back
By SAJID FAROOQ
Updated 1:26 PM PST, Mon, Feb 23, 2009
It’s time to dust off that chessboard from the attic and pimp out some old school Adidas track suits because all the cool kids are playing chess in the hood.
What do hip-hop, martial arts and chess have in common? Adisa Banjoko and the Hip-Hop Chess Federation hope inner city children see a lot of connections.
"In these times of financial stress we see violence is rising as bank balances drop. It's critical that young people get a chance to learn directly from the stars and athletes, how to make good life choices," said HHCF CEO Adisa Banjoko.
The Bay Area based organization teaches children how to think critically and make good decisions between the discipline involved with all three arts. The group uses celebrities, such as RZA from the Wu Tang Clan, to draw the crowds in.
"We greatly appreciate the time these artists give to the young people,” Banjoko said. “We look forward to a big crowd, banging beats and making major moves on the boards."
On Feb. 28, the organization that Good Morning America Weekend hailed as, giving underserved and at risk youth, "…some of the most valuable tools they will ever need in life: patience, logic and strategy," will hold its next tournament at John O'Connell High School in San Francisco, 2355 Folsom Street.
There will be open gaming, book and video game give-aways and the event is free to the public.
Banjoko added, "We have recently launched pilot programs at John O'Connell High School in San Francisco and The Ryan Academy in Norfolk, VA. Our students were moved by the story and we appreciate GMA Weekend for finding value in what we do."
The event will feature RZA, Rakaa from Dilated Peoples, Casual from Hieroglyphics, Def Poetry Jams Amir Sulaiman and others.
There will gi and gi-less jiu jitsu exhibitions by Alan "Gumby" Marques from Heroes Martial Arts, Denny "300" Prokopos from 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu and rope dart master Don Kiolbassa among others.
First Published: Feb 22, 2009 9:25 PM PST
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