Russell Simmons, HSAN Honored By Newark, NJ Mayor

Russell Simmons and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) will be honored tomorrow (Feb. 2) by Newark Mayor Sharpe James and TRI, Inc. for inspiring and uplifting young people across the country. Chaired by Simmons, HSAN is a non-profit coalition of artists,entertainment industry executives, and community leaders who advocatepositive social change through hip-hop. The group's primary focus is the welfare of at-risk youth in the United States. "It's good to be acknowledged for the Hip-Hop Summit's work helping young people but, you know, it's all about the work and the work continues," Simmons told AllHipHop.com. The special presentation will be held in front of over 2000 students at Weequahic High School in Newark, N.J, in conjunction with Newark's teen empowerment program called Beyond The Cover Teen Magazine. The program targets teens interested in publishing, computer graphics, journalism, marketing, and community service. Now in its sixth year, Beyond The Cover is designed to engage and promote workplace readiness skills, and offers corporate and entertainment sponsored scholarships and internships.