Will Rap 4 Food, Inc. educates, empowers, and mobilizes the Hip Hop community to be agents of change in the global eradication of hunger through awareness, unity and the powerful influence of art.
1. “Hunger Kills, Hip Hop Heals” is a powerful way to introduce your mission. Plenty of folks have heard about Will Rap 4 Food. For those who haven’t yet, could you talk about the inspiration that led to starting the organization?
Will Rap 4 Food began with a conversation centered on hip hop artist Pro'Verb's desire to give back to his community. Everyone agreed that artists are role models, whether they accept it or not, with the power to create movements. Yet many don’t do enough for their communities. Hunger Kills, Hip Hop Heals is a reversal of this careless and destructive culture and the impact it's having on our people. The joke was that they, the artists, expect the same people they don't support with their influence to support their careers. The hunger epidemic was brought up several times throughout the conversation on the direction of our cause. Most of us have personally experienced missing meals and the lasting effects it can have. Our core belief is whether you are rich, middle class, poor, a major artist, independent artist, or not an artist, we all should be servants of our community.
2. Why hunger? Of all the social maladies we face, why did hunger strike you as the place to begin? And what other issues have you included in your work?
The issue of hunger plagues the entire world, and we believe this should not be the case. The effects of not eating or having nutritional, balanced meals are at the core of the spreading of many diseases which our nation and world face. Just recently, we partnered with farmers and co-ops to bring focus to organic, local and urban farmers. This partnership has helped to increase awareness that eating organic foods do not have to be an expensive option.
3. Most of the time it seems like there are too few Hip Hop artists spitting positive verses, but your point is that what matters more is that artists use their influence to help create some positive outcomes?
We all must understand that hip hop culture is a reflection of our community. If you have positive movements in your community supported by the youth, then you'll see a change in our music. Will Rap 4 Food seeks voices and good stewards of the community and its people. If someone is passionate about our movement, we'll work together for the cause. We've witnessed the action of serving have a positive effect on the mentality of our volunteers. One word, amazing!!!
4. Talk about some of the artists who’ve been involved with Will Rap 4 Food and the events they’ve supported.
We currently have a list of 40+ artists nationwide who are willing to support anything that WR4F is a part of. Our first and most memorable event line up was Peculiar People, RA The MC, Reesa Renee, Awthentik, Sounds of the City, Nonchalant, and more. Others we've partnered with include Raheem Devaughn, Skyzoo, Anwan Glover (Big G), Peter Rosenberg, SM City, and DJ Premier, just to name a few. To date, the biggest event WR4F has been a part of was The Indie Life's Austin TX Edition. We had 5,000+ attendees.
5. And participation in Will Rap 4 Food isn’t limited to artists is it? Who else can get involved, and at what level? 
Anyone can be involved, and all ages, and races are welcome. Corporations, small businesses, nonprofits and for profit; they can sign up by going to this link:
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6. Who are the WR4F leadership members?
CEO- Calvin "PRO'Verb" Roberson
COO- Melisa Duncan
CVO- Navada Taylor
Creative Director- Jessie Julien
PR/ Media- Deborah Julien
7. Describe what happens when you conceive an event or are invited to participate in one. How do you mobilize folks and how do the pieces fit together?
WR4F receives tons of email inquiries for participation and/or partnership opportunities. We look for key points that are aligned with our mission statement and vision statement. Once we make a decision to move forward, we put the proper people in place from our network of volunteers.
8. Will Rap 4 Food partners with the Capital Area Food Bank. Do you have other partner organizations? How can potential partners help you advance your program and goals?
In addition to the Capital Area Food Bank, we've partnered with The Michael Walton Foundation, Metro Teen Aids, Project Give Back, The Women's Collective and Kitchen CRAY.
9. Where can folks find info about any upcoming events?
To get the inside scoop on upcoming events, those interested should first sign up as a volunteer through our website. We often send out news letters containing current events along with developing opportunities. Further means of staying in touch include the major social media outlets including Twitter, Instagram, and FB @WillRap4FoodInc.
10. What are Will Rap 4 Food’s goals going forward?
We will move on to continue to build and maintain a direct relationship between artists and the community. Hip hop is a complete and unique culture that is forever changing, but the unchanging variable must be its role in servicing and improving the community. We are also looking forward to creating a tour and building national and international awareness of the growing global hunger issues.
Will Rap 4 Food, Inc. envisions the Hip Hop community as the most influential agents of change in the fight against hunger.
For more information...
www.willrap4food.org (desktop)
www.facebook.com/willrap4foodinc
www.twitter.com/willrap4foodinc
www.instagram.com/willrap4foodinc