WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. From Institute for Nonviolence. January 17, 2008: On Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008 the Westchester Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute for Nonviolence holds its ninth annual conference, “Ending Violence, Building Hope,”  at The Castle, Manhattanville College in Purchase. A group of Westchester youth will participate in discussions with other young people, and will perform hip hop music based on Dr. King’s Six Principles of Nonviolence.  Known as H.I.P. H.O.P. -- Highly Intelligent People Healing Our Planet --  the group has been invited to perform by community centers, churches, synagogues and schools that recognize this powerful vehicle for learning and creativity, and recently released a CD of original songs inspired by Dr. King. 

            “Those who are looked upon as hip hop leaders in the U.S. are gaining financially,” says White Plains resident Cornell Carelock.  “But more can be done with hip hop to empower us culturally.  We can take inspiration from the civil rights movement to help us move forward collectively and make positive change.”  Working under the auspices of the Westchester Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute for Nonviolence, Mr. Carelock, also known as Lord Judah, is adviser and teacher to the participants in this project.  Several of the groups’ musicians are students at the Music Conservatory of Westchester, whose Dean Ruth Matthews will be among the speakers sharing information about the hip hop ensemble and about the conservatory’s other offerings for youth.

            Open to the public, the event takes place from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at The Castle, Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY.  Donations of $5.00 per person are requested.

For information call the Westchester Martin Luther King Institute at (914) 949-6555.