MC Lyte, a hip-hop artist and rap pioneer, is focusing her efforts on helping women through empowerment seminars and scholarship programs for men.
She is in New Orleans for the Essence Music Experience in order to host the W.E.A.L.T.H Experience as part of her program the Hip Hop Sisters Foundation.
“It’s womanhood, expansion, assets, leadership, transformation and health,” said Lyte. “We cover every aspect of what it takes to really have a spurt and growth for the year that you’re in.”
“People don’t have to be broke. People don’t have to be down. People don’t have to be limited. Your dreams can actually come true,” said Hip Hop Sisters Foundation co-founder Lynn Richardson.
The foundation was created six years ago, after Richardson saw a social media post from MC Lyte, and her desire to give back.
“I saw her tweet something about hip hop sisters and I thought, ‘Well I’m a hip-hop sister. I’m a wife, I’m an executive, and a mother. But before all that I was hip-hop.’ I can still sing all the words from rappers delight. So I just happen to reach out to her,” said Richardson.
Four months later, the foundation was born, and eight months after than, the group gave out two $100,000 scholarships at the Soul Train Music Awards.
“From day one we’ve been about education, empowerment and wealth,” said Richardson.
New Orleans is a direct recipient of that.
Four men are attending Dillard University thanks to the program and the #EducateOurMen movement, putting young African American men through college.
“Simply because of what young black men are facing on a daily in their own communities,” said Lyte. “Being harassed and hassled, and sometimes even killed. So we want to be able to give opportunities to young men because once you can see a future for yourself, you can aim toward something much different. You’re putting them in a position to where they can help the next person. So it’s all about giving back.”
Seven years later, they’ve given away $900,000 in scholarships.
They’re also wanting to give back to the women of the Crescent City as a part of this year’s W.E.A.L.T.H. Experience.
“We cover every aspect of what it takes to really have a spurt and growth for the year that you’re in,” said Lyte.
“Women leave renewed with new partnerships, and develop relationships that last for years and years and years and years,” said Richardson.
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