(AllHipHop News) The Roots frontman, Black Thought, has revealed some personal details about his life in recent months and years that seem to shed light on his desire to help others in need. Namely, as a youngster, he lost both his mother and father to violent crime.
AllHipHop.com will join Philadelphia’s Black Thought on April 26, along with his friends in sports and entertainment, to help promote the pressing issues of girls and women residing in Newark/Orange, New Jersey (GrassROOTS also hosts programs in Philadelphia and Greensboro, North Carolina).
Black Thought and the WNBA’s New York Liberty basketball team have assembled a star-studded host of supporters to raise funds and awareness for his GrassROOTS Community Foundation via the “Power Forward” Charity Concert, to be held at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on April 26.
“Power Forward” will bring together business professionals, Essex County (New Jersey) city officials, activists, and philanthropists for a diverse night of music and advocacy, with performances from Black Thought, Maya Azucena, Paul Lowe Jr., and Nneka Best. In addition, a cadre of North Jersey rappers, including Rah Digga, Lords of the Underground, Hakim Green of Channel Live and others, will attend to show their support for hometown youth.
Hosting this year’s event is actress Regina Hall, best known for her roles in Think Like a Man, the Scary Movie series, Love and Basketball, and The Best Man.
According to “Power Forward” organizers, this event represents a strategic partnership between GrassROOTS Community Foundation and the New York Liberty WNBA team, who share a common goal of spreading awareness about women’s health and empowerment. Celebrity participants plan to use their names and influence to underscore the importance of using sports to increase physical activity and reducing obesity among impoverished women and girls.
Doors open for “Power Forward” at 8PM on April 26. Tickets to The New York Liberty basketball games and a subscription to Essence are included with the purchase of “Power Forward” event tickets. For more details or to purchase tickets, visit www.powerforward.eventbrite.com. Proceeds from this event will benefit the H.E.A.L. program.
In February 2012, GrassROOTS hosted a well-attended “Let’s Move It Philly” charity concert in Philadelphia to raise funds for local programs. Special guest performers included The Roots, Dice Raw, The Money Making Jam Boys, DJ Rich Medina, and more.
About 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.
About H.E.A.L. Program
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 welcome parents with children (K-3rd grade) to practice Ancient Kemetic yoga to experience the benefits of increased focus, agility and higher energy.