Friday, June 09, 2006

Russell Simmons, Dr. Ben Chavis To Ring NASDAQ Bell To Celebrate HSAN Anniversary

The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network will celebrate its fifth anniversary June 14 by ringing the opening bell of the NASDAQ Stock Market in Times Square, New York.
HSAN Chairman Russell Simmons and HSAN President/CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis will do the honors at the NASDAQ Stock Market, the largest U.S. electronic stock market with over 3,000 companies listed.
"On June 14 five years ago, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network was formed in New York City under the theme of 'Taking Back Responsibility' in the Hip-Hop community," Simmons stated. "Today, we are ringing the opening bell at The NASDAQ Stock Market as a reaffirmation of our commitment to empower people financially, and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network is the largest nonprofit, worldwide coalition of
Hip-Hop artists and entertainment industry executives who believe that Hip-Hop is an enormously influential agent for positive social change."
During the past five years, Simmons' nonprofit has organized massive public rallies ranging from the repealing of the Rockefeller Drug Laws to voter registration campaigns.
Additionally, Simmons has toured the country on the "Get Your Money Right" tour, which stresses the importance of financial literacy, home ownership, and more. The tour has visited numerous cities, including New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago, and Detroit.
"Helping young people take responsibility for transforming the world into a better place for all people is our ultimate goal," said Dr. Chavis. "HSAN ringing the bell at NASDAQ is, in reality, ringing a bell for opportunity, freedom and justice for millions of youth who are crying out for a better quality of life. Our current tour on financial literacy is taking the right step at the right time."
Simmons and Dr. Chavis will ring the opening bell at 9:30 a.m. at the NASDAQ MarketSite Location at 4 Times Square.