Students from SWYC's University of Hip Hop helped organize the 2007 Hip Hop & Youth Empowerment Summit on November 29, 2007.

Held at Depaul University, the objective of the Chicago Hip Hop and Youth Empowerment Summit was to provide a space for:
· the celebration of youth and hip hop activism in Chicago
· the exposure of culture in context of the themes and issues that are being tackled in the larger community
· unity through the exhibition of talent and community building.

Hip Hop after school programs, organizers, political action committees and various allies convened on November 29th for an evening of speak out sessions, panel discussions, performances, art, information distribution and speeches. This evening served to reconnect to the root of Hip Hop, educate youth on the different actions being taken in the name of social justice, and inspire more positive action.

Featured at this event:

-Speak out sessions: Hip Hop organizers, social justice activists, elders and youth program representatives speaking on initiatives, themes, issues and positive action affecting the Chicago Hip Hop community.

Media Panel: Representatives from different groups were a part of a panel discussion on Hip-Hop in the media.

Info Tables: 15 organizations and allies held info tables; distributing information and resources on positive action

Interactive Mural: A canvas and supplies were provided for participants to artistically express their empowerment, vision and action as members and allies in Hip Hop. This mural will be displayed and added upon at following Chicago Hip Hop events.

Keynote Speaker: Cashus D of the Universal Zulu Nation Cashus presented on the Balance Campaign addressing issues of Hip-Hop in the Media

Performances included Ang13 and open break dancing, MCing, DJing and aerosol displays by youth.

Involved Organizations: Alternatives Inc (Connect Force, Girlworld), Southwest Youth Collaborative (Gen.Y, Univerity of Hip-Hop, SOUL) Hip-Hop Congress, Build, Little Village High School, Howard Area; Batey Urbano; Hip-Hop Political Action Commitee; Zulu NAtion Chicago; Chi-Rock All- Stars; STOP (Cabrini); Hip-Hop Filmmakers Caucus; Chicago Freedom School; World Can't Wait, Chicago Hip Hop Initiative, Blocks Together, Multi-Cultural Youth Project (CMAA, VAI,), CIWorkers Chicago, etc.