Hip Hop Student Leadership Conference fosters leadership and career skills

On Thursday, April 12, the UAA Office of Student Leadership Development and AHAINA Student Programs will kick off a free three day leadership and career conference to help develop and expand leadership skills for college, high school and middle school students as well as community members. The conference will run from April 12-14 on UAA's campus. This conference will use Hip-Hop culture in its original form as a social movement to inspire and motivate attendees to make positive change in their community.

Friday's activities will be geared toward college and high school students and community members with a focus on community leadership and personal development, while Saturday's focus is a half-day Leadership and Career Exploration Academy targeted towards middle school and high school students with the theme "Developing Yourself Is Your Career." Saturday will also give college students an opportunity to help lead workshops for the middle school and high school participants. Those who wish to participate are required to register online at www.uaatix.com. Registration includes a free t-shirt, meals during the conference and enters participants in a drawing for prizes.

This year's workshop themes include conflict resolution, visionary leadership, cyber profiles, social entrepreneurship and online communities, among others.  Featured presenters include leaders from The Hip-Hop Association, a non-profit community building organization based in Harlem, New York: President Martha Diaz, Executive Director Rolando H. Brown and Chairman of the Board, Hon. George Martinez. The Hip-Hop Association was formed in March 2002 to counteract the negative stereotypes that certain segments of Hip-Hop have acquired.  The Hip-Hop Association's mission is to utilize Hip-Hop culture as a tool to facilitate critical thinking, foster social change and unity by empowering communities through the use of media, technology, and education and leadership development while preserving Hip-Hop culture for future generations.

For more information about the Hip-Hop Student Leadership Conference and a full schedule of events visit www.uaa.alaska.edu/studentleadership, or call 786-1371.  For more information on The Hip-Hop Association visit www.hiphopassociation.org.  UAA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution.