National Hip-Hop Summit and Walmart Host 'Get Your Money Right' in Houston

National Hip-Hop Summit and Walmart Host 'Get Your Money Right' in Houston

Financial Empowerment Summit Offers Financial Disciplines in a Troubled Economy

NEW YORK, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, Russell Simmons, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) and Walmart will convene the national Hip-Hop Summit on Financial Empowerment entitled "Get Your Money Right" in Houston. The event will offer valuable and timely financial information from financial experts, celebrities and community leaders. Free to the public, the summit will take place Sat., Oct. 17 at the Granville M. Sawyer Auditorium on the campus of Texas Southern University, 3100 Cleburne Street, Houston, Texas 27403. Doors open at 12:00 p.m.

Financial literacy is critical as multicultural communities are disproportionately impacted by the economic downturn. For example, the unemployment rate has increased and the share of the working-age population that is employed has fallen more for immigrant Latinos. In addition, the African-American job loss exceeds one million as a result of the recession, representing more than 60 percent of the total increase in the number of those unemployed.

"The recession continues to hit the minority communities the hardest and without financial literacy, those communities will not be able to move forward to improve their standards of living," said Russell Simmons, chairman and co-founder of HSAN. "The 'Get Your Money Right' Hip-Hop Summit in Houston will be the perfect opportunity for leaders in the Hip-Hop community to share invaluable information about financial empowerment."

"At Walmart, we understand the importance of financial management. This is why we continue to strive to provide our communities with resources and products at affordable prices to help individuals manage their personal finances," said Ron Acosta, regional vice president, Southwest Division, Walmart. "Our partnership with HSAN in this event and ongoing financial literacy programs, along with expanded financial products, services and locations, are an extension of our core mission to help people save money, so they can live better."

Confirmed artists and celebrities scheduled to participate in the Hip-Hop Summit on Financial Empowerment in Houston include Russell Simmons, BET's Alesha Renee, Slim Thug, and Dr. Benjamin Chavis. 97.9 The Box is the exclusive radio partner for the Hip-Hop Summit in Houston.

Chavis, president and co-founder of HSAN, concluded, "the Hip-Hop 'Get Your Money Right' Summit will be both informative and dynamic in the context of hip-hop culture. This is about keeping yourself informed on how to improve your quality of life. As the economy in the United States undergoes a recovery, it is very important for young people to participate in efforts to build a stronger financial foundation."

Walmart is the presenting sponsor of the Houston "Get Your Money Right!" Summit. In addition the retailer will host a special in-store promotion of the summit on Friday, Oct. 16 at 4:30 p.m. at the Walmart Superstore located at West Park, 3506 S. Hwy 6 South, Houston, Texas 77082.

Houston Community College is a proud supporter of the Houston Hip-Hop Summit, along with community partners including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Avance Houston, Fox 26, Houston Area Urban League, Houston Community College, Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, KBXX Radio, National Association of Real Estate Brokers, National Black MBA Association Houston Chapter, Inc. and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

About the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network

Founded in 2001 by Russell Simmons and Dr. Benjamin Chavis, HSAN is the largest non-profit, global coalition of hip-hop artists, entertainment industry leaders, education advocates, civil rights proponents, and youth leaders united in the belief that hip-hop is an influential agent for positive social change. Dedicated to harnessing the cultural relevance of hip-hop music to serve as a catalyst for education advocacy and other societal concerns, HSAN provides educational programs on financial literacy, health education, civic engagement and personal development. For more information, go to www.hsan.org.

About Walmart

Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart stores, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Walmart (NYSE:WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $378 million to local communities in the United States. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com.

Source: Hip-Hop Summit Action Network; Walmart

CONTACT: Randi Friedman, rfriedman@bncpr.com, or Lacy Pica,
lpica@bncpr.com, both of BNC | Bragman Nyman Cafarelli, +1-212-253-4646

Web Site: http://www.hsan.org/
http://www.walmart.com/

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