Educator Spotlight: From Hip-Hop Summit to Financial Education to Advocacy Initiatives, Charles Fisher Demonstrates True Community Dedication

Born in Brooklyn, New York and resident of St. Albans, Queens, Charles Fisher’s more than four decades of community commitment shine through both his career path and his volunteer efforts. He created a private nonprofit in the late 1970s that offered a variety of services aimed at juvenile delinquency prevention. In the 1990s he was executive director of hip-hop artist LL Cool J’s Camp Cool J Foundation and also worked as a White House entertainment consultant.

Also known as former manager of LL Cool J and the Lost Boyz, Charles founded the Hip Hop Summit Youth Council (HHSYC) in July 2001. The HHSYC was created to help implement the commitments made by record companies, musicians, community leaders, and elected officials at the historic 2001 Hip-Hop Summit at the Hilton Hotel in New York City.

Participants in the HHSYC are taught how to constructively use their time, talent, and the Hip-Hop culture to improve social, political, and economic conditions in their schools, homes, and communities. As the #1 Nonprofit Social Service Hip-Hop Organization in the world, Fisher’s organization launched the groundbreaking “Call 2 Action” app in collaboration with “The People’s Shark” Daymond John and New York’s Power 105.1 FM hip-hop radio station. Call 2 Action’s goal is to sign one million new members to help address three life-threatening issues facing communities today: gun and gang violence; the heroin and opioid crisis; and sexual abuse against women.

David C. Banks, Chancellor of New York City Public Schools, alongside Charles Fisher, Founder of the Hip Hop Summit Youth Council.

In addition to his work in the financial literacy space, Charles demonstrates his dedication to empowering entire communities by sponsoring advocacy initiatives that help address broader societal problems and promote youth success. His advocacy has led to the following campaigns:

• Hip-Hop Against Gun & Gang Violence : This project, created in 2011, takes an innovative multi-faceted approach to educate and train students and young adults on how to proactively end gun and gang violence in their schools and communities.
• Hip-Hop 4 Better Health : this group recently announced the launch of E.D.S. (Exercise, Diet, & Spirituality). This new groundbreaking holistic health initiative was created by the “Fitness Sheriff” to help young citizens better understand how to use Exercise, Diet, and Spirituality to lose weight and stay in shape; connect to a higher power; avoid mental illness; prevent sickness and disease; reduce healthcare costs; and live a positive, drug-free lifestyle.
• Read 2 Succeed: Through curriculum, an essay contest, and hip-hop books featuring some of the biggest stars in the world – including Jay Z, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Usher, Dr. Dre, Diddy, Kanye West, Ice Cube, Pharrell Williams, Queen Latifah, Mariah Carey, 50 Cent, T.I., Eminem, and Will Smith – this group helps participants improve their literacy skills and graduate from school to achieve their academic, business, and personal goals.
• Time to Shine: Young citizens today have talent but don’t have the contacts or resources to showcase their skills to the “movers and shakers” in the industry. They need help to market their talent and build their business. This initiative prepares participants for the challenges they will encounter by building confidence, augmenting skills, and engaging in a hands-on approach that will help open doors for those who normally would not have a chance in the very competitive hip-hop industry.