On behalf of the Hip Hop Caucus and Atlantic Records/Grand Hustle we would like to invite your talent/artist to participate in the 2008 “Respect My Vote” Campaign (www. hiphopcaucus.org/respectmyvote) this Saturday, September 6^th with Hollywood photographer Tony Garcia (www.tonygarcia.com) during the MTV Video Music Awards weekend.

The Hip Hop Caucus, www.hiphopcaucus.org, and Multi-Platinum, Grammy Award Winning Superstar T.I. have joined forces to launch a powerful new voter registration and ‘Respect My Vote’ campaign. Combining the power of celebrity and media with 21^st century grassroots organizing tactics, the HHC looks to mobilize and educate young people between the ages of 18 and 29, who are not in college to get out and vote.

Portraits will be used in this year’s “Respect My Vote” campaign. Artists will be photographed in AKOO Clothing’s “Respect My Vote” t-shirts exclusively created for the campaign. Campaign participants include T.I., Keyisha Cole, Bow Wow, Michael Phelps, Omar Epps,Yung Joc, Busta Rhymes, Keri Hilson and Young Jeezy.

Who: Hip Hop Caucus, Atlantic Records/Grand Hustle, Tony Garcia

What: Respect My Vote Campaign Photo Shoot with photographer Tony Garcia

When: Saturday, September 6^th
9am – 8pm (tentative)

Where: 5245 Melrose Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90038
Studio phone: 323-463-8260

Why: The campaign, led by T.I. will employ other celebrities, athletes and high profile influential figures to get out the vote in a variety of ways including PSAs for radio, television and online use; in person appearances; press events; mobile and email alerts from celebrities themselves; and an aggressive online campaign. Famed photographer Jonathan Mannion has been exclusively tapped to shoot portraits of the famous faces adoring the soon to be unveiled campaign slogan and t-shirt produced by forthcoming AKOO clothing line as well as direct and produce the PSAs.

Half of young Americans ages 18-29 have never enrolled in college. According to research done by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), a non-partisan research center, nearly 80 percent of the young voters who turned out on Super Tuesday had college experience. The disparity between college educated and non-college educated young voter participation is also evident by their turnout rates: one in four eligible young voters with college experience voted on Super Tuesday, compared with one in 14 eligible young voters with no college experience.

Please Contact: Liz Havstad, Hip Hop Caucus
Phone: 202.460.2333

Email: liz@hiphopcaucus.org
*Hair and make-up will be on-site. Talent pickups will also be available.

About
The Hip Hop Caucus was established in September 2004 by activists and organizers who were working to get out the vote. In organizing and mobilizing around the 2004 elections we realized the critical need for a sustainable political organization that empowers the Hip Hop generation to participate in the policymaking process. Through the Hip Hop Caucus we are challenging the demonization of a generation and culture by creating a space for young people to speak up – to discuss and debate a new vision of a society and a government that works for all of us. We engage the Hip Hop generation, those born after 1964, through issue campaigns, events, and voter education.