P4P Supports Public Offenders

As taken from their websites:

PO Members for FY2011 are:

Yolanda Zapata* YOLI ..Y.our O.wn L.yrical I.mpress
Drailand Bell LYRIC* the LYRICAL felon
Damien Williams* PHENOMENAL VENOM
Quincy Ockletree* BLACK PROPHET the Ghost

PUBLIC OFFENDERS stands for Poverty United Building Love in Inner Cities Our Future For Every Nation Does Effect Reality Situations- we strive to educate and unite people with our music and words. We don't "offend" the public- only those that do not accept the truth.

We have been together since high school and have very strong bonds with each other. Our shared experiences allow us to have a rare chemistry and a charismatic presence on stage. Our music addresses overcoming issues like domestic violence, police brutality and other forms of oppression. We talk about our experiences and inspire others to positive action. We mix in a variety of songs that are about all the good things in life as well. We rhyme to address the social and political issues that affect us most.

We are unique in that we perform in clubs, schools, conferences, theaters and many community events. We tailor our performances to the event and often end up spending a long time speaking to the fans after the show. They always want to know not only more about us but the issues we confront. We perform at least 5 times a month and are leaders in bringing attention to the Austin hip hop scene. Two of our members are Under21 spoken word winners as well.

We are all community activists and work with youth on a regular basis. We live and breathe our music and are dedicated to making our dreams a reality.

For more info on Public Offenders, check out SonicBids

Destiny by Design Featured on DIDDYBLOG

Diddy features a lot of articles of inspiration on his blog. Austin's own Destiny by Design even provided Mr. Combs substance to share to his worldwide audience. Destiny by Design, in cooperation with AISD Citizen Schools, focuses on culture and career development opportunities within hip-hop.

Teaming with volunteers, including myself, the Destiny by Design kids were able to utilize their creativity to produce, write, and record their own song.

Check out Diddy's blog entry BELIEVE | DIDDYBLOG
or view the video here created by Luxury Mindz:

Destiny by Design Documentary from LUXURY MINDZ on Vimeo

P4P Supports The Cipher Austin

P4P believes in our nation's youth. We start building and empowering in our own backyard here in Austin, TX. The Cipher Austin is one of the organizations we will be promoting through our own marketing resource, YEM Promotions, the marketing division of 1205 Productions.

Below is info about The Cipher Austin taken from their Facebook Causes profile:

The Cipher’s mission is to build a community of young leaders and engaged hip-hop artists. We help them use their voice and leadership for positive social change. The creative expression and public performances encouraged in "The Cipher" produce a group of confident and involved young people. Through the program these teens not only have the opportunity to learn about the music industry, but they also are taught valuable life skills such as teamwork, commitment, and techniques for modeling healthy relationships. The members of the Cipher leave the program empowered, authentic and connected to the Austin music industry. The program provides these young people with a positive learning experience, allowing them to gain new skills and competencies, as well as build self-esteem, improve academic performance and expand possibilities for their futures.

Like any non-profit organization, The Cipher Austin actively seeks funding and donations from the community it serves.

We start our twice a week meetings in September, we need to pay for writing supplies, meal donations, insurance, cds, artwork, money for community events and to pay for the instructor as he engages these youth in sociopolitical and personal discussions 6 hours a week throughout the year. We also do a lot of work around housing, school, jobs, legal maters and building healthy relationships as they move through The Cipher. This process will culminate in another album and even more young people will be engaged and empowered. Please help by providing a meal donation or a financial contribution.

To make a secure, tax-deductible donation, please click the link below. You will be transferred to The Cipher Austin's website where you can use PayPal in order to complete a secure transaction.

http://www.thecipheratx.org/austins_hip_hop_project/Contribute.html

Kids Say the Darnedest Things I