Written by Tracey Y. Smith

The Third Annual SOURCE360 Festival returns to downtown Brooklyn’s cultural district from September 29^th through October 2^nd, courtesy of The NorthStar Group and The Source Magazine.  This four day celebration of Hip-Hop culture will engage the community through music, fashion, film/TV, art, panel discussions and technology.

The SOURCE360 SPEAKER SERIES takes place from Thursday, September 29^th thru Saturday, October 1^st, reflecting a commitment to community education and empowerment.  Thought leaders, politicians, social activists, artists, fashionistas, influencers, celebrities and writers will come together to discuss important issues in their fields, as well as their impact and possible solutions.

Explains The NorthStar Group Founder and The Source publisher, L. Londell McMillan, “This year, we’re focusing on substantive dialogue and cultural activations.  These are serious times and we need solutions as we educate and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to make positive contributions to the culture.”

SCHEDULE:

Educate & Elevate – Youth Training Day

Thursday, September 29^th – LIU Brooklyn Campus (1 University Plaza, Brooklyn, NY)

• Panel 1: “Vote or Die” – 1pm
• Panel 2: “Technology, Music & Advertising” – 3pm

 Friday, September 30^th – Sheraton Hotel (228 Duffield Street, Brooklyn, NY)

• Panel 1: “Police State of Emergency” – 3pm
• Panel 2: “Reel Recognizes Real: Hip Hop & Hollywood” – 4:30pm
• Panel 3: “The Evolution of Hip Hop” – 6pm

Saturday, October 1^st – Rockwell Place (Between DeKalb & Fulton Street, Outside BRIC)

• Panel: “The Word: Hip Hop & Literature” – 12pm

Panelists include celebrated Hip Hop enthusiast, Shaheem Reid; VH1 Love & Hip-Hop’s  Yandy Smith-Harris; actor Felicia “Snoop” Pearson; daughter of Eric Garner, Erica Garner; Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams; Black Lives Matter organizer, Kei Williams; Justice League activist, Tamika Mallory; publisher & author, Karen Hunter; Mobb Deep artist, Prodigy; award-winning urban author, K’wan;  writer & radio host, Dan Charnas; director/producer/writer, Marvis Johnson;  Clinton advisor, Shannon Currie; political strategist & head of community engagement for Joe Biden, Carri Twigg; from Page Six, Carlos Greer; BET Digital executive Jermaine Hall; Co-founder of Muse Recordings/My Brother’s Keeper Champion, Mike Muse; from Wire Image, Johnny Nunez; CEO of Claimit.com, Ali Abdullah; President of REVOLT Media, Rahman Dukes; attorney and Source publisher, L. Londell McMillan and others, to be announced.

There is also a series of new school and old school music concerts on Friday and Saturday evening at BAM Café Live and the legendary UnSigned Hype showcase at Roulette and The Annual SOURCE360 Block Party on Saturday, October 1^st that you will not want to miss.