Philadelphia, PA…Following up its successful debut earlier this year, The Hip Hop Chronicle®, the only urban-focused newszine distributed in several public schools, has published its second quarterly installment. Already partnered with schools in Bridgeport, CT; St Louis, MO; Philadelphia, PA; New York City, Chicago, IL; New Orleans, LA; Richmond, VA, and Durham, NC; The Hip Hop Chronicle© recently secured an unprecedented distribution in all high schools in Baltimore, Maryland. The publication also secured strategic partnerships with the U.S. Army and Everest College—thus boosting readership by 15 percent. The Chronicle is distributed quarterly to more than 85,000 high school and college students. "We have a goal of reaching the million reader mark by 2010," says founder and publisher DeNea R. Conner.
Continuing with its efforts to stimulate and educate young minds about current events, the new summer issue features articles on the historical presidential election and the political process. "We aim to help our readers understand how the political system in the United States works, why each vote is important, and how they can get involved," says Ms. Conner. "We have also included a piece featuring several entertainers reflecting on the current political landscape." Through interviews with such popular rappers as Bun B, T.I., and Baby Bash and R&B group Mint Condition, The Hip Hop Chronicle© realize and accept the role entertainers play in inspiring young people to get involved politically and socially.
The June issue also exposes Chronicle readers to alternative careers in the entertainment business. "We want to inform them about other careers in the industry, outside of being a performer," says Ms. Conner. "There are other career opportunities in the entertainment industry, such as sound engineers, accounting, and marketing positions that many of these teens are un-aware of." An accompanying piece guides readers to the best colleges for these various career choices.
Ms. Conner also uses this issue to continue her mission towards increasing literacy among teenagers. On this end, she has created "Project Live: Help Empower Life Through Literacy." "The Chronicle is a vehicle by which we can encourage teens to read. It captures their attention through the music and entertainment aspect, but we educate them about social issues, what's going on globally and within their own communities,"
Look for the Back-To-School Issue in September to focus on literacy, with a planned feature on "American Idol" winner Fantasia and her own struggles with reading. The December winter issue will highlight philanthropy and look at celebrities and their various charitable organizations.
After 15 years of working in the pharmaceutical and Biotech industry as a cellular biologist, Ms. Conner, created The Hip Hop Chronicle© as a means to engage and empower today's youth.
She says, "At the end of the day, my goal is to help make our readers become better informed citizens."
To learn more about The Hip Hop Chronicle®, visit www.hiphopchronicle.com. For media requests and a copy of the Hip Hop Chronicle please contact press@hiphopchronicle.com.
