Hip Hop Youth, Unity and Life Forum
County teens, police and experts meet Sept. 8 to discuss today's youth issues.

With the County’s teen population growing and becoming more diverse, MCRD and Montgomery County Police Dept. are co-sponsoring a forum Sept. 8 at East County Community Center to help kids and their parents better understand today’s teen issues.

Billed as “Hip Hop Youth, Unity and Life Forum,” the meeting will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

This forum will unite the five Sports Academies—Blair, Paint Branch, Springbrook, Wheaton and Einstein high schools—with parents and students to discuss three major topics debated in today’s society:

Hip Hop language and the effects on youth; how a diverse population of teens can unite and work together; and life issues teens will be faced with as they develop into young adults, such as transitioning from high to college, high school to the workforce, and the choices they will encounter.

The program will focus on teaching teens how to become proactive in their decision-making process. It will also allow teens to have a positive discussion on the use of the derogatory language in music, videos and movies.

The day’s events will also educate teens and parents on solutions to today’s teen issues.

Motivational speakers of various backgrounds and nationalities include a poet, radio personalities, and representatives of National Action Network, Concerned Men, Street Outreach Network, the youth organization Operation Understanding DC, and MCPD.

The forum is free. A continental breakfast and lunch served. For more information call 240-777-6985.