Hip Hop Chess Federation Mentoring

Founded by award wining lecturer and author Adisa Banjoko, the HHCF is dedicated to providing an inclusive setting for individuals to interact, play and develop life strategy skills with people they perceive as mentors.

"Despite the school system's best efforts and intentions, and the efforts of overworked parents, the past generations have suffered from lack of suitable education and essential resources required for a successful life," states co-founder Adisa Banjoko. "We recognize that chess, martial arts and hip-hop unify people from multiple cultural, religious and social backgrounds. These black and white squares do not care what color you are or if you are rich or poor. The only thing they ask is that you come with your strategy, your patience and your skills."

Along with recreational activities, the Hip Hop Chess Federation also provides life strategy workshops and sponsor-supported education scholarships. Studies show chess provides invaluable life lessons such as patience, personal accountability, focus, emotional intelligence and understanding the consequences of one's actions before one acts.

Mixing chess, music, martial arts and mentoring helps bong the community and create unity. Playing chess at least once a week helps students gain critical thinking skills and life strategies.

After nearly two years in the making, the Hip Hop Chess Federation launched its nationwide tour on February 23, 2007 in San Jose, CA. Rappers, movie producers, mixed martial art (MMA) fighters and other entertainers volunteered their time to support the community, including world renowned DJ QBert, international chess Master Vinay Bhat, Casual from the legendary Hip-Hop group Hieroglyphics, award-winning filmmaker Kevin Epps and martial artists champions Denny Prokopos and Alan "Gumby" Marques. These names drew crowds from all over California, and overflowed the Martin Luther King Library beyond capacity.
Norfolk, Va:
Martial arts, chess help students get bully-proof
The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star

By Lia Russell

The Virginian-Pilot

When Navy Senior Chief Brad Taylor realized his sons, Bradley and Zachary, were being bullied in their private Norfolk school, he enrolled them in a martial arts program.

The results were almost immediate.

Their confidence level rose, and it positively affected every part of their lives, Taylor said.

The bullying stopped right away, Bradley Taylor, 15, said. It was empowering.

Soon, Taylor and his wife, Jennifer, joined the boys in their karate and jiujitsu classes. That was four years ago.

Now, all four family members have advanced martial arts skills, including black belts in karate.
This summer, through the Norfolk Karate Academy, the family is volunteering to teach "Gracie Bullyproof," a confidence-building program .

The 10-week program, held at Lamberts Point Community Center, boosts self-esteem, increases awareness, and - as a last resort - teaches nonviolent self-defense techniques against bullies.

The program was created by the Gracie family - a prominent sporting family from Brazil.

Last week, 40 children, ages 5 to 12, gathered at the community center to "bully-proof" themselves.

The self-defense class is held in conjunction with "Hip Hop Chess," sponsored by the Norfolk Police Department.

"Chess and jiujitsu go together because jiujitsu is all about figuring out how the other guy thinks and knowing how to make all the right moves," said volunteer Lisa Suhay, as she introduced the program to the children. "Chess is about how to make the right moves, and life is about how to make the right moves."

After an introduction to chess by Virginia Amateur Chess champion Ernie Schlich, the youngsters played against each other while listening to hip-hop music. Some were paired with officers from the Norfolk Police Department.

After an hour of chess, the children moved into an adjacent room, removed their shoes and warmed up for their introduction to jiujitsu by moving across the floor mats like crabs, snakes, gorillas and frogs. ##

Ongoing TBA.

You don't have to know how to play chess. If you do play you don't have to be able to beat a Russian. All you need is the interest in sitting across the board from a child or teen who needs to know that someone cares about spending their time on him or her. That's it. Spend an hour a week and watch kids blossom under the attention. Watch confidence get in the house. See the differance and make more.