Connecting the World Block by Block
News and Past Highlights
Emergency Action Alert :
Help Defend and Preserve the United Nations of Hip Hop...5 Pointz (NYC)
5 Pointz represents the living embodiment of the global Hip Hop culture and has an intangible value in this world and physical significance to the City of New York. Through its connection with graffiti, which is one of Hip Hop’s 5 original elements 5 Pointz has a living historical and cultural value, serving as a global beacon of unity, hope and creativity and should be preserved as a NYC landmark.
Global Block believes that 5 Pointz represents the following 4 criterion for preservation status: - Represents a masterpiece of human creative genius and the rich tradition of New York City Arts. - Represents an important interchange of human values, over a span of time within NYC dedicated monumental arts and landscape design; - Bears a unique and exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition which is living or which has disappeared; - Is directly and tangibly associated with living traditions, ideas, and beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. |
Help 5 Pointz Get Landmark Designation in NYCDownload the NYC Landmark Application, Complete it and Send it back to meresone@5ptz.com
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landmarkperservationcommision-1.pdf | |
File Size: | 114 kb |
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Recent Highlights...
Global Block Collective Creates Anthem For A Occupy Sandy Relief Efforts

2011-2012 was a banner year for the members of the Global Collective as they were an integral part of the creation of the soundtrack of the occupy wall street movement. During the second week of the "occupation" in Zuccotti Park in Lower Manhattan several Global Block members including Chairman George Martinez and associate Jelani Mashariki began offering technical assistance to the grassroots movement growing around the world. After an electrifying speech by George Martinez, using the peoples mic with over 300 people, he and his wife/ fellow band member, Clara wrote and recorded a song called, "Occupation Freedom" which became known as the Official Occupy Wall Street Anthem. Now in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the Global Block Collective released "Free and Unify" with a promo video, as the OS Relief Anthem.
Tu Voz Cuenta Tour in Colombia Ends With Music Festival

Colombia, South America:
Between Aug of 2011 and May of 2012 Global Block Collective members spent over 8 weeks visiting 11 cities throughout Colombia promoting an extension to our highly successful PUSHH (Peace, Unity and Social Empowerment through Hip Hop) Tour called, "Your Voice Counts" or "Tu Voz Cuenta" in association with the US Department of State, the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, the International Organization of Migration and community based organizations throughout Colombia. The tour consisted of public performances, mural projects, and educationally based workshops with youth and public officials and received widespread media coverage and directly reached over 10,000 at risk youth.
Between Aug of 2011 and May of 2012 Global Block Collective members spent over 8 weeks visiting 11 cities throughout Colombia promoting an extension to our highly successful PUSHH (Peace, Unity and Social Empowerment through Hip Hop) Tour called, "Your Voice Counts" or "Tu Voz Cuenta" in association with the US Department of State, the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, the International Organization of Migration and community based organizations throughout Colombia. The tour consisted of public performances, mural projects, and educationally based workshops with youth and public officials and received widespread media coverage and directly reached over 10,000 at risk youth.
Global Block Welcomes Legendary Hip Hop Producer "D Dot" To The Family

Deric Michael Angelettie (born July 31, 1968), otherwise known as D-Dot,Papa Dot and The Madd Rapper, is a rapper, record producer, CEO and entrepreneur and will now become Global Block's Newest Cultural Advisor. A three-time Grammy Nominee and NARAS Award winner, Angelettie made a significant mark as a hip-hop and R&B record producer and label owner. Angelettie started in 1990 as a rapper in the group "Two Kings In a Cipher". From 1996-1998, he was the "Captain" of Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment's producing team: The Hitmen. As a producer, Angelettie sold millions of records and produced hits for superstars like Notorious B.I.G., Diddy, Ma$e, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Eminem and many more. He produced hits such as The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Hypnotize" & Mase's "Feel So Good" as well as many other tracks for many multi-platinum and Grammy Award winning artists.
Global Block Collective Selected for Occupy Wall Street Benefit Album Featuring Some of Music's Biggest Names
Occupy This Album

As the Occupy Wall Street movement expands beyond Liberty Square (Zuccotti Park) in NYC and becomes a global phenomenon, Global Block Music, contributes to the sound track of the movement with the viral OWS Hip Hop Anthem, Occupation Freedom, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pl0pHJg_l8 and a stirring solidarity performance for 32,500+ people at Foley Sq, on Nov 17 for the 2 month anniversary of the start of the occupation movement http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5RKTaKz8ts.
They were recently asked to take part in the upcoming Occupy Wall Street Benefit Album called , Occupy This Album, which is slated for Winter 2011 realease, and which will feature high profile contributions from artists like, Crosby and Nash, Jackson Browne and Third Eye Blind.
They were recently asked to take part in the upcoming Occupy Wall Street Benefit Album called , Occupy This Album, which is slated for Winter 2011 realease, and which will feature high profile contributions from artists like, Crosby and Nash, Jackson Browne and Third Eye Blind.
TU VOZ CUENTA Moves Colombia

Members of the Global Block Collective, Clara "Sylara" Guerrero, Kima "DJ Nut Man" Hamilton, and Christopher "B-Boy Ika" Sagayo joined Chairman and US Cultural Ambassador George Martinez on a 6 week 11 city tour Hip Hop diplomacy tour of Colombia called, "Tu Voz Cuenta" or "Your Voice Counts". The tour was the first official Hip Hop diplomacy mission to Colombia and was sponsored by an unprecedented collaboration of partners, including the Public Affairs and the Narcotics Affairs Sections of the US Embassy, USAID Colombia, International Organization of Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
What's Up Colombia: Hip Hop Saves Lives
Our New PSA Featuring: Kima Hamilton, Director of the Global Block Writers Collective
Global Block Selected to Participate in United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Pre-Forum 2011 Consultation with Civil Society Organizations in Doha, Qatar.

Global Block founder and executive director, George Martinez will travel to Doha, Qatar, for the first ever UNAOC Pre- Forum Consultation with Civil Society Organizations. Global Block was selected from hundreds of organizations around the world for its innovative achievements in grassroots organizating, youth empowerment, Hip-Hop diplomacy, and sustainable community development.
http://www.unaoc.org/
DOHA PRE-FORUM 2011
Consultation with civil society organizations
Connecting the UNAOC’s mission and the MDG's: an Agenda for Collaborative Action Doha, 3-4 May 2011
The Doha Pre-Forum 2011 with Civil Society Organizations (CSO) is co-organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the Drafting Committee of the Doha Forum, in partnership with the Human Rights National Committee of Qatar, the Arab Democracy Foundation, Silatech and the Doha Center for Media Freedom.
http://www.unaoc.org/
DOHA PRE-FORUM 2011
Consultation with civil society organizations
Connecting the UNAOC’s mission and the MDG's: an Agenda for Collaborative Action Doha, 3-4 May 2011
The Doha Pre-Forum 2011 with Civil Society Organizations (CSO) is co-organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the Drafting Committee of the Doha Forum, in partnership with the Human Rights National Committee of Qatar, the Arab Democracy Foundation, Silatech and the Doha Center for Media Freedom.
Chairman Martinez to Lead Discussion on "Climate Bridges" at the Classrooms for Climate Conference at the University of Alaska Anchorage with Majora Carter.
Classrooms for Climate is organized by the Chugach National Forest and UAA in partnership with the Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center, Alaska Geographic, and the Northern Forum. Alaska is ground zero for climate change, and the Chugach and neighboring landscapes, with world famous glaciers and watersheds, are an extended classroom for researchers, educators, and students around the world seeking to understand the potential physical, biological, cultural and socio-economic impacts. Each of the participating institutions recognizes its own unique role as a “classroom” for understanding and responding to climate change. All are committed to working across geographic and institutional boundaries to build knowledge and craft sustainable and effective solutions. This symposium is a first step in bringing together partners in inquiry, education, and management from across Southcentral, Alaska and beyond.
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Plural + 2011 to Feature 1st Ever Global Block Award
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Recognizing youth as powerful agents of social change in a world often characterized by intolerance, cultural and religious divisions, PLURAL+ is aimed at involving youth in addressing the key challenges in their communities related to migrant integration, inclusiveness, identity, diversity, human rights and social cohesiveness.
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2011 Began with an Explosion of Words in Belize with Chairman Martinez and Youth Voices

A new GBF collaboration was launched at the Image Factory in Belize City, Belize, called Youth Voices which aims to empower young people by encouraging a stronger sense of identity through spoken word and poetry.
Consultant to the project and International Artist, the Honorable George Rithm Martinez was on hand to promote the magic of the spoken word and Hip-Hop.
Youth Voices is a 2 year initiative of the Global Parish and Supported by the US Embassy in Belize and the Global Block Foundation.
Consultant to the project and International Artist, the Honorable George Rithm Martinez was on hand to promote the magic of the spoken word and Hip-Hop.
Youth Voices is a 2 year initiative of the Global Parish and Supported by the US Embassy in Belize and the Global Block Foundation.
Chairman Martinez Hosts the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Plural+ Youth Media Awards Ceremony at The Paley Media Center in NYC

On Friday November 12, a crowd of nearly 200 gathered at the Paley Center for Media in New York City to honor the winners of the 2010 PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival. PLURAL+ is a joint program of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the International Organization for Migration.
PLURAL+ provides a platform for young people globally, ages nine to 25, to share their personal experiences, views, questions and hopes regarding issues such as migration, cultural polarization and identity.
Video shorts (one to five minutes in length) arrived from more than 40 countries this year representing a range of topics including: the plight of youth refugees in Austria; the life of Roma girls in Slovenia; migrants’ rights in Ecuador; and a child's vision for a more inclusive India.
This year’s International Jury Award Winners were Aarohi Mahesh Mehendale (Ages 9-12) of India, Martina Hudorovic (Ages 13-17) of Slovenia, and Sebastian Kraner (Ages 18-25) of Austria. Both Mehendale and Kraner were in attendance to receive their awards. Eleven other films were also screened that evening and received various awards from PLURAL+ partners.
The ceremony was emceed by U.S. State Department Cultural Envoy/ Hip-Hop Ambassador George “Rithm” Martinez. Distinguished guests and presenters included Marc Scheuer, director of the UNAOC; Michele Klein Solomon, Permanent Observer to the United Nations for the International Organization for Migration; Diane Lewis, Vice President of Public Affairs and Programs at the Paley Center for Media; Chaim Lifteski, Chief, Television Section, Radio and Television Service UN; Tey Cottingham, Head of Education and Institutional Markets at the National Film Board of Canada; and Karen Cirillo, Executive Producer, Children’s Broadcasting Initiatives at UNICEF.
The winning videos will be packaged into the PLURAL+ 2010 Program to be broadcast and presented at a number of international conferences, film and video festivals.
To view the winning videos or learn more about PLURAL+ please visit the website at http://www.unaoc.org/pluralplus/
To view photos of the event, clik here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/unaoc/sets/72157625286146269/
PLURAL+ provides a platform for young people globally, ages nine to 25, to share their personal experiences, views, questions and hopes regarding issues such as migration, cultural polarization and identity.
Video shorts (one to five minutes in length) arrived from more than 40 countries this year representing a range of topics including: the plight of youth refugees in Austria; the life of Roma girls in Slovenia; migrants’ rights in Ecuador; and a child's vision for a more inclusive India.
This year’s International Jury Award Winners were Aarohi Mahesh Mehendale (Ages 9-12) of India, Martina Hudorovic (Ages 13-17) of Slovenia, and Sebastian Kraner (Ages 18-25) of Austria. Both Mehendale and Kraner were in attendance to receive their awards. Eleven other films were also screened that evening and received various awards from PLURAL+ partners.
The ceremony was emceed by U.S. State Department Cultural Envoy/ Hip-Hop Ambassador George “Rithm” Martinez. Distinguished guests and presenters included Marc Scheuer, director of the UNAOC; Michele Klein Solomon, Permanent Observer to the United Nations for the International Organization for Migration; Diane Lewis, Vice President of Public Affairs and Programs at the Paley Center for Media; Chaim Lifteski, Chief, Television Section, Radio and Television Service UN; Tey Cottingham, Head of Education and Institutional Markets at the National Film Board of Canada; and Karen Cirillo, Executive Producer, Children’s Broadcasting Initiatives at UNICEF.
The winning videos will be packaged into the PLURAL+ 2010 Program to be broadcast and presented at a number of international conferences, film and video festivals.
To view the winning videos or learn more about PLURAL+ please visit the website at http://www.unaoc.org/pluralplus/
To view photos of the event, clik here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/unaoc/sets/72157625286146269/
Global Block's PUSHH TOUR on Frontlines in Mexico
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PUSHH TOUR: Peace, Unity, Social Empowerment with Hip-Hop October 2010, Mexico Global Block Collective members including Chairman George "Rithm" Martinez and DJ Kima "Nutman" Hamilton embarked on a 10 day, 6 city tour of Mexico as a part of the PUSHH TOUR 2010. During the tour they reached over 12,000 people directly and over 200,000 via the news media. They performed at schools, public plazas, and juvenile detention centers. They met with mayors, security officials, diplomats and educators. Most of all, they delivered their message to thousands of wonderful Mexican children!. Paz, Unidad, Desarrollo Social Con Hip-Hop or PUSHH! Cities Visited on the Tour: (Nogales, Hermosillo, La Paz, Loreto, Cabo San Lucas, Cabo San Jose) |
Global Block Reaches Summit in Nepal
HIP-HOP DIPLOMACY: SEEING THE WORLD.
Our generation realizes that success in today’s global marketplace requires new ways of thinking. We need to be innovative and flexible, constantly upgrading our skills through lifelong learning and education. Part of that education means connecting to the world beyond our borders. In the 21st Century, America is networked to the planet in unprecedented ways. The next great technology is as likely to be born in Calcutta as California. Traveling, experiencing and working in foreign cultures is critical to obtaining an awareness of what’s next. Sadly very few of us enjoy that opportunity. read more |
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Chairman Martinez at TEDx NM Tamaya
Recently, Chairman Martinez had the opportunity to speak at a TEDx event held on the Santa Ana Pueblo @ Tamaya, New Mexico.
Several hundred people gathered to listen to a variety of speakers including Robert Young, Phil Klein, Vanessa Fox, and Naomi Natale. Chairman Martinez discussed the Global Block perspective for developing a sustainable America. Here is an excerpt from the entire 18 min talk. For more information on TEDX http://tedxtamaya.com |