Edward DeJesus, former VP of The Source Entertainment,
will launch a new grassroots campaign aimed at helping Hip-Hopper’s combat negative
lifestyles and stereotypes often associated with the genre of music.
The Youth Empowerment Tour (YET) will kickoff
on Saturday (February 21) in Greenville, South Carolina and contains important
messages of avoiding violence, making good career decisions, developing a positive
support network and messages of education.
"Instead of glorifying the ‘hood lifestyle,
the Youth Empowerment Tour will convey what actually happens when you live that
lifestyle," DeJesus told AllHipHop.com in a statement.
DeJesus, who has over 15 years of experience
as an inner city youth advocate, is well versed on the power and influence of
hip-hop music and culture and was one of the driving forces behind the Source
Youth Foundation’s community activities across the country.
DeJesus also released a new book that he hopes
will guide youth in a positive direction, titled "Makin’ It – The HipHop
Guide to True Survival."
YET will make stops throughout 2004 in Fresno,
Baltimore, Philadelphia and Los Angeles
For more information on the Youth Empowerment
Tour, visit www.youthempowermenttour.com.