By Jenova Burrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer
Music, meditation, massage, and her mom.
That’s how MC lights focus on their work. The hip-hop legend shared these insights and more as part of his Team Up for Change summit for the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center on Monday.
Now in its fifth year, the Team Up for Change initiative is designed to inspire, unite and energize voices for social justice and racial equality. Held during Women’s Empowerment Month, the event highlighted the contributions of women leaders working in the social justice movement.
In a fireside chat moderated by Sacramento artist and activist Marianna Sousa, MC Wright spoke about how athletes and rappers are giving voice and platform to important social issues.
“The music aspect is a space where you can not only use your voice to speak to a multitude of people in all parts of the world, but you can also speak to your siblings through music. To your family: When we often talk about music and sports, the communities where we come from look up to us in the same way, so they go hand in hand. , family life, education, school systems – all things that are still in dire need of change.We all went through the same experience. I just live in the shape of
Sousa agreed. “Some of the issues we deal with at home are very similar,” she said. “It’s the same thing that the brother rocking the mic is trying to get away with and doesn’t have to deal with for the rest of his life. Most of the brothers with the ball are going through the same thing.” We are on different sides of the court, but there is some unity in that struggle.”
The pioneering rapper later starred in the movie Love & Basketball. She also dropped a memorable verse on her socially conscious 1989 single, “Self Destruction.” MC Wright was the first female hip-hop artist to score her single Gold, and her solo was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Whether she’s DJing, writing the theme song for a TV show, or lending her distinctive voice to a singing puppet, MC Wright is no stranger to the genre she’s been in for 36 years. continues to evolve.
During a local discussion, she spoke about the Hip-Hop Sisters Foundation, which she co-founded in 2012 with attorney Felicia Shaw and financial coach and author Dr. Lynn Richardson. Its website lists its mission to “promote a positive image of men and women of ethnic diversity and to bring together leaders from the world of hip-hop, the entertainment industry, and the corporate world,” and promotes economic empowerment. , health and wellness, and mentorship. and educational opportunities.
“It was my dream to give young girls further education, and it was Dr. Lin’s dream to give them financial literacy, and we have made it happen over the past 12 years. Probably 130. We donated nearly $10,000 in scholarships to young girls,” says MC Wright.
The organization also hosts the annual WEALTH Experience.
“Femininity, Augmentation, Wealth, Leadership, Transformation, and Health. It’s an acronym that brings us all together and is all about teaching something that many adults don’t already know because it relates to understanding how money works.” “If I could speak to someone who was able to participate in the WEALTH experience, they would tell me how life-changing it would be. If that’s all there is to it and it just means “via” and it means using my platform to do it, then it works. ”
Sousa asked the rapper involved why she “shines out.”
“Prayer is essential,” she said. “Prayer, quiet time, meditation, that’s what suits me. Some of the instrumentals I listen to put me in a zone of peace and quiet. This is really important.” I get massages regularly because we all put a lot of stress on our shoulder area when we take on the world.
MC Wright also spoke about caring for her mother battling cancer.
“I’m sure it’s not a god damn coincidence. My mom came to visit me like it was 10 years ago and she never left,” she said. is. Having her with me is one of the greatest gifts and tricks God could ever perform for her to come on her vacation and never leave. Home base. Wherever she is, it’s her home base. I am so happy to have her, and if I seem a little flirtatious or floating, she immediately takes me with her.
March is Women’s History Month, so the fireside chat included remarks about empowerment and cooperation. MC Wright remains independent, but growing up as a key kid in New York City, she’s come a long way.
“Still, I understood the power of community and family and unity. It’s the power of a relationship…you can really learn and be open to all things sisterhood,” she said.