Gr818ers

We are so excited for the Common Good Exchange at the Fourth Estate Leadership Summit this August. The Gr818ERS (pronounced “great one-eighters”) are one of the organizations I’m most excited to see, among 40 other organizations and brands that will be there. The Common Good Exchange will give Summit attendees the opportunity to connect and learn from the top brands and orgs at the forefront of innovative social change. The Gr818ERS are a group of Hip Hop artists and activists that utilize Hip Hop culture as an avenue for social justice and community empowerment.

I had the chance to ask co-founder Lorenzo “Devious” Chapman some questions about The Gr818ERS’ origins, current projects, and motivations. Here’s what he had to say:

When was the moment that The Gr818ERS went from being just an idea to being a full-on organization? What were the motivating factors?

The GR818ERS was founded in 2010 by Eric “RXSWFT” Chapman, Pierre “Pierre Boogie” Arreola, and myself [Lorenzo “Devious” Chapman]. We came together to combat the negative stereotypes we fell victim to as natives of Pacoima, a suburban ghetto in the San Fernando Valley riddled with gangs, drugs and violence. We use our talent and passion for Hip Hop culture as a vehicle for social justice by encouraging intercultural and intergenerational exchange through programming and community events.

Both Invisible Children and The Gr818ERS speak to such a young audience. What is it about this generation that inspires the pursuit of purpose-driven lives?

The rising generation of youth is at the forefront of social innovation. As we reach a point in our history where outdated, inefficient methods of social control and development are being critically evaluated, social change looms around the corner. Invisible Children and The GR818ERS speak the language of the youth; by fusing culture, creativity, and service, we create ecosystems driven by imagination that fuel innovation.

Can you tell our supporters about what your programs do and one story of success from those efforts?

The GR818ERS’ youth programs promote critical engagement with popular culture, exploring Hip Hop’s origins to its development into a global culture; youth are empowered to express themselves through the artistic elements of Hip Hop culture (Dance, DJing, MCing, and Graffiti Art) and take on an active role in their community. The GR818ERS also hosts monthly community events, providing entertaining spaces for local artists, youth, and community members to engage in the arts.

Hector “XLR8” Rosas is a member of the GR818ER Juniors (The GR818ERS’ youth leadership group) and describes his experience with the movement as life-changing. Hector grew up in the Pacoima. At a young age, he witnessed a shooting and has since dedicated his life to changing the status quo of his beloved community. From the moment Hector met Eric (a founder of GR818ERS), Eric took him under his wing, teaching him about dance, life, and social justice through Hip Hop. Since then, Hector has become Eric’s teaching assistant serving as a mentor to youth younger and older than him.

What is the future of The Gr818ERS?

We’re currently in the process of registering a nonprofit by the name of Hip Hop 4 (HH4) to continue developing communities throughout the County of Los Angeles and spread the movement all over the world. HH4 places Hip Hop artist-activists in schools, and community organizations support them as they utilize their art form, as well as their knowledge of local culture and issues, to uplift under-served populations. HH4 also coordinates youth programs and community events to improve access to cultural arts and athletic programs, increase civic engagement, and foster positive youth development in under-served communities.

What’s the biggest thing your organization is hoping to learn or take away from the Fourth Estate Summit?

We hope to connect with innovative individuals and organizations working to make our world a better place by investing in human capital. Through the Fourth Estate Summit, we will have the opportunity to build a stronger network of activists working towards social justice. The GR818ERS represent the value of Hip Hop culture as a catalyst for social development. The Fourth Estate Summit seeks to bring peace and encourage development across the globe, but to achieve the collective good we must first foster community amongst ourselves.

In case that wasn’t enough, the three founders of The Gr818ERS auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance? and shared their amazing story. See if you can spot Lorenzo repping the Invisible Children Liberty Triangle T-shirt. (Not gonna lie, it kind of made my day when I saw it and I may have freaked out a little.)

You can find out more about the 2013 Fourth Estate Leadership Summit via the links below.

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