Developing physical strength, a strong will, a quickened mind, and an ethical and moral base from which to judge their own actions as well as those of others, HTCMLI provides the youth of our city with life-enhancing skills, positive values and a sense of purpose and direction.
Paul Robeson "Here I Stand" Spoken Word Contest
Winner Meets Common and Performs Live on Stage!!!
Update: The Paul Robeson Award Gala is being rescheduled for another date. The contest still will take place!! Please review the revised dates below.
To celebrate the annual Paul Robeson “Here I Stand” Award Gala, the Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute is conducting a Spoken Word Video Contest to cultivate the message of where you stand as a human being and artist. The gala will honor hip hop artist Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. aka “Common” and will be held at the historic Lincoln Theatre.
The contest invites individuals from the ages 12 to 30 to submit videos reciting spoken word based on one of the following themes quoted by the inspirational Paul Robeson:
"The artist must elect to fight for freedom or slavery. I have made my choice. I had no alternative."
"I make no separation between my work as an artist and my work as a human being."
"To be free . . . to walk the good American earth as equal citizens, to live without fear, to enjoy the fruits of our toil, to give our children every opportunity in life--that dream which we have held so long in our hearts is today the destiny that we hold in our hands."
Prizes:
First place: 4 tickets to the Paul Robeson “Here I Stand” Award Gala, a photograph taken with Common, 2 minutes to present their spoken word selection at the start of the program*
Second place: 4 tickets to the Paul Robeson "Here I Stand" Award Gala
Third place: 2 tickets to the Paul Robeson "Here I Stand" Award Gala
* The winner will receive 15 minutes rehearsal time at the Lincoln Theatre the day of the event. Time TBD. The Malcolm X Drummers will be available to provide background drumming if requested.
To enter:
1. Select a Paul Robeson quote above and create a spoken word video
2. Videos should be no more than 2 minutes and in the form of a YouTube link
3. Fill out the entry form and upload your video
"Common" Honoree of "Here I Stand" Gala |
CommonThis years honoree is Hip Hop legend Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. aka "Common".
Date: Saturday, September 8, 2012
Historic Lincoln Theatre, Washington, DC
Almost every year, the Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute selects an artist who has provided exemplary service to the community. We present the Paul Robeson "Here I Stand" award after interviewing the honoree on stage. We also provide a showcase for local artists, including the children that attend our Kung Fu institute. It's a chance to bring the community together, learn how to help each other and have a good time. We hope you'll come and have an unforgettable evening.
Big Tigger
Urban ArtistryOur special invited guest interviewer will be "Big Tigger".
Performing live on stage will be:
Malcom X Drummers and Dancers, Whratnala USA, Ivy Rose Band,
Urban Artistry, ISA Miss Teen Philippines Chessa Toboada, Dragon Princess Olivia Zhang, and Hung Tao Choy Mei "Lucky Lions" and Thunder Drummers.
Tickets are also on sale at Ticketmaster or the Lincoln Theatre box office for $27.50 (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm).
Past honorees have been Harry Belafonte, Dick Gregory, Dr. John Hope Franklin, Judith Jamison, Rita Moreno, and Spike Lee.
For more information contact Abdur-Rahim Muhammad, HTCMRahim@aol.com.
