Common
Lonnie Rashid Lynn
Hip Hop Artist/Actor Common to headlines Brooklyn's Fort Green Festival June 26,2010.
The Common Ground Foundation was created by Hip Hop artist, actor and children's author Lonnie Rashid Lynn, known as "Common". Common's social-conscience message serves as inspiration for equality, opportunity and hope among youth in underserved communities. The Foundation is committed to empowering youth in urban neighborhoods and providing life skills needed to achieve their dreams.
The Common Ground Foundation's "BE Empowered" program provides life, career and educational mentoring as a means for youth participants to achieve understanding, confidence and self-respect. Our program support is focused on finding the power of ones voice, hands on creative expression, learning business skills and developing an overall mind/body well being.
The "Read For Change" program addresses the national problem of illiteracy. In an effort to encourage and inspire youth to read, the Common Ground Foundation has launched The Corner, a national online book club. This interactive platform provides youth across the country with an opportunity to discuss current reading selections, and fosters the development of critical thinking skills.
Common debuted in 1992 with the album Can I Borrow a Dollar? and maintained a significant underground following into the late 90s, after which he gained notable mainstream success through his work with the Soulquarians. His first major label album, Like Water for Chocolate, received widespread critical acclaim and moderate commercial success. Its popularity was matched by 2005's Be, which was nominated in the 2006 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album. Common was awarded his second Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, for "Southside" (featuring Kanye West) (from Finding Forever), his first Grammy was awarded in 2003 for Best R&B Song for "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" with Erykah Badu. His best-of album Thisisme Then was released on November 27, 2007. Common has also initiated a burgeoning acting career, starring significant roles in such films as Smokin' Aces, Street Kings, American Gangster, Wanted, and Terminator Salvation.
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The Common Ground Foundation was created by Hip Hop artist, actor and children's author Lonnie Rashid Lynn, known as "Common". Common's social-conscience message serves as inspiration for equality, opportunity and hope among youth in underserved communities. The Foundation is committed to empowering youth in urban neighborhoods and providing life skills needed to achieve their dreams.
The Common Ground Foundation's "BE Empowered" program provides life, career and educational mentoring as a means for youth participants to achieve understanding, confidence and self-respect. Our program support is focused on finding the power of ones voice, hands on creative expression, learning business skills and developing an overall mind/body well being.
The "Read For Change" program addresses the national problem of illiteracy. In an effort to encourage and inspire youth to read, the Common Ground Foundation has launched The Corner, a national online book club. This interactive platform provides youth across the country with an opportunity to discuss current reading selections, and fosters the development of critical thinking skills.
Common debuted in 1992 with the album Can I Borrow a Dollar? and maintained a significant underground following into the late 90s, after which he gained notable mainstream success through his work with the Soulquarians. His first major label album, Like Water for Chocolate, received widespread critical acclaim and moderate commercial success. Its popularity was matched by 2005's Be, which was nominated in the 2006 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album. Common was awarded his second Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, for "Southside" (featuring Kanye West) (from Finding Forever), his first Grammy was awarded in 2003 for Best R&B Song for "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" with Erykah Badu. His best-of album Thisisme Then was released on November 27, 2007. Common has also initiated a burgeoning acting career, starring significant roles in such films as Smokin' Aces, Street Kings, American Gangster, Wanted, and Terminator Salvation.
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Chicago White Sox Team With Common Ground
Jun, 2009The Chicago White Sox are once again teaming with hip-hop superstar, actor and children’s author Lonnie Rashid Lynn – better known as Common – and the Common Ground Foundation this season for a night at the ballpark to help serve Chicago youth. On Friday, July 17 at 7:11 p.m., the White Sox will play Baltimore at U.S. Cellular Field. A portion of every ticket purchased on behalf of the Common Ground Foundation when using the special promotion code of “CGF” will go toward the organization. The Common Ground Foundation was created by Common to serve as an inspiration for equality, opportunity and hope among youth in underserved communities. The Foundation is committed to empowering youth in urban neighborhoods and providing life skills needed to achieve their dreams. “I am thrilled to again partner with my hometown Sox to help build awareness for the Common Ground Foundation and do something special for young people in Chicago, as well as communities across the nation,” said Common, who is a South Side-native. “We invite everyone to support us on this special night.” The Common Ground Foundation is also hosting a contest to raise funds for the Foundation by selling group tickets to the White Sox game. The person who sells the most tickets by June 19, will get to throw out the ceremonial first pitch with Common at the July 17 game. Tickets for the foundation’s event are available via a special order form and entering in “CGF” in the special promotion code box. Orders submitted on behalf of the Common Ground Foundation must be received by the White Sox no later than Tuesday, June 30th. -
Ludacris Joins Common For Charity Hip Hop Concert
Aug, 2009The Common Ground Foundation has announced the second annual “Common & Friends” concert to be held at the famed Hollywood Palladium on September 26, 2009. The show will raise funds for the foundation, created by actor and hip-hop artist, Lonnie Rashid Lynn, best known as Common. Tickets are available through Live Nation, and the show will feature live performances from Common, Ludacris, Nas, The Roots, De La Soul and many special guests. Tickets are $100 for general admission and $200 for VIP Balcony seating. All proceeds will benefit the Common Ground Foundation. “For the second year in a row Common and the biggest artists in hip-hop will come out and lend their support for the Common Ground Foundation,” said Executive Director, Jodie Blum. “With proceeds from this amazing event, we are able to raise much needed funds to empower youth in the United States.” The Common Ground Foundation continues to show support through partnerships, events and programs reaching many dynamic groups. Recent initiatives have included being the recipient of Cartier’s LOVE Charity program; the Chicago White Sox’s “Be in the Game” day at Cellular Field; and the Emmy-award nominated “A Minute” campaign. Last year’s inaugural event, “Start the Show & Bowl” featured will.i.am, Lupe Fiasco, The Roots, Talib Kweli, Bilal, and Marsha Ambrosius. -
Common Ground Foundation Receives $10,000 Donation from Ford Motors
Mar, 2010Hip hop artist, actor and children's book author Common receives a $10,000 donation from the Ford Motor Company to support his foundation, the Common Ground Foundation at the NAACP Image Award Symposium last month in Los Angeles.
The Common Ground Foundation is dedicated to the empowerment and development of urban youth in the United States.
Visit
http://www.commongroundfoundation.org
for more information about the organizations programs and causes.
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Common to Headline this years Fort Green Brooklyn Festival
Jun, 2010Brooklyn, NY - - - I See Promotions, LLC, in conjunction with the Ajile L. Turner Scholarship Fund, is pleased to announce the return of the Fort Greene Festival on Saturday, June 26, 2010. Continuing in Brooklyn’s history of great outdoor festivals, the Fort Greene Festival (FGF) enters its second year this summer and is expected to once again attract thousands of people to the day long affair. Hip Hop artist and actor Common will headline the program; Malik Yoba will host, and Rosie Perez will co-host. Now dubbed, The Art, Soul, and Future of Brooklyn, FGF will continue in its mission to celebrate the cultures, cuisine, and artistic diversity of Brooklyn. The full day program, from 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm, is a mixture of musical performances, food, film, and shopping. The official entrance to the festival will be at the corner of DeKalb Avenue and Washington Park in the Fort Greene section of Central Brooklyn.
For more information, please call 718.902.9641. Online, please visit http://www.fortgreenefest.com or email fgreenefest@gmail.com. Find Fort Greene Festival on Facebook and Follow on Twitter: @fortgreenefest.
All media inquiries are directed to April R. Silver at AKILA WORKSONGS: pr@akilaworksongs.com or 718.756.8501.
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