The Power Forward event will be held on October 6 at 7:00PM at Newark Museum.
To purchase tickets, please visit http://powerforwardcocktailfundraiser.eventbrite.com/. Proceeds from this event will benefit GCF programs in New Jersey.
(AllHipHop News) Join Tarik “Black Thought” Trotter of The Roots is joining forces with Okayplayer and AllHipHop.com to raise funds for girls in need in the Newark, New Jersey region.
Co-founder of the GrassROOTS Community Foundation (GCF) and lead MC of Philadelphia’s Grammy Award-winning band, Black Thought will invite New Jersey policymakers and citizens to the Newark Museum on October 6 for a fundraiser and charity concert entitled Power Forward.
The GrassROOTS fundraiser will include performances from Black Thought of the Grammy Award-winning group, The Roots, along with Malene Younglao, Maya Azucena, Nneka Best, and his bandmates.
Hip-Hop journalist and personality Amanda Seales will serve as host for Power Forward, which planners say will bring together business professionals, Essex County city officials, activists, philanthropists, and residents of Newark, East Orange and Orange for a lively night of music and advocacy.
Black Thought will also bring a few of his hometown head honchos with him, as Philadelphia Mayor N##### is confirmed to be in attendance.
Says Black Thought, “I now live in Jersey, and I am relying local hip-hop artists, community members, leaders, and friends in New Jersey to come together and show that they care about what happens to our women and girls.”
In 2011, GCF adopted Georgia King Village (GKV) in Newark as a community of strategic priority, and has been partnering with organizations and individuals to provide health and educational resources to its residents.
“Research shows that 47% of children are overweight or obese in Newark compared to the national average of 36%,” says Janice Johnson Dias, Ph.D. Sociologist, Co-founder and President of GCF. “Because of these alarming numbers, GCF founders felt compelled to galvanize and motivate residents to do something about their health.”
The Power Forward event will be held on October 6 at 7:00PM at Newark Museum. To purchase tickets, please visit http://powerforwardcocktailfundraiser.eventbrite.com/. Proceeds from this event will benefit GCF programs in New Jersey.
GrassROOTS Community Foundation
GrassROOTS Community Foundation (GCF) is a collaborative effort of Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, co-founder and lead MC of the Grammy Award Winning group, the Roots, and sociologist, Dr. Janice Johnson Dias. The foundation is committed to contributing to the health and well-being of vulnerable populations and disadvantaged communities. Merging the talents of socially conscious artists with those of a rigorous scientific research and creative team, GCF invests their energy into developing the capacity of community based organizations that offer educational and recreational services to disadvantaged women and girls. For more information, please visit www.grass-rootsfoundation.org.
H.E.A.L. is a family program that teaches parents and children about the joys and health benefits of yoga and cooking together. The program welcomes parents with children (K-3rd grade) to practice Ancient Kemetic yoga to experience the benefits of increased focus, agility and higher energy: keys to educational and professional achievement. For more information on the program, please visit
S.H.A.P.E Program
Strong, Healthy, and Powerful Everyday is an after school program for 9th grade high school girls at Central High School in Newark, NJ. The program focuses on health literacy, wellness, self-esteem and professional skill development. Begins Fall 2012. Co-sponsored by Barnabas Health System and the American Heart Association.
Super Camp is a summer day camp for girls 5 to 9 years that provides focuses on mathematics, science and reading through a cultural lens.