"Rebirth of a Nation: Race and Gender Politics in Today's Media" -- an Art Sanctuary Rap Session

Noted African American literati and scholars will join Art Sanctuary and Rap Sessions as they host "Rebirth of a Nation: Race and Gender Politics in Today's Media" - a community dialogue on the role of African Americans in the media in the new millennium. This event is free and open to the public.

Moderated by journalist and author Akiba Solomon, the all-star panel includes:

• Professor and media personality Dr. Marc Lamont Hill
• Professor of Black Popular Culture in the Department of African and African-American Studies at Duke University, Mark Anthony Neal
• Journalist and Hip-Hop Feminist author of When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost, Joan Morgan
• Cultural critic and journalist Elizabeth Mendez Berry

Join these thought leaders as they facilitate this interactive town hall style meeting that takes a look at current depictions of African Americans in the media, the disproportionately high negative media coverage of African Americans in this seemingly post-racial America, and the role of positive African American images in the media as it relates to inducing social change in our communities.

As part of the organization's mission to bring visionaries into direct contact with the community, Art Sanctuary continues to be at the forefront of directing an ongoing conversation on race and culture as it relates to media and the arts. Founded in 2005, Rap Sessions, the first national tour of its kind, has conducted over 70 town-hall style meetings in scores of cities across the country. In 2012, by touring the nation with leading hip-hop activists, scholars and artists, Rap Sessions continues its commitment to engaging the most difficult dialogues facing the hip-hop generation. Making its way to Philadelphia, Rap Sessions has partnered with Art Sanctuary to help jumpstart crucial debate and identify solutions to the question, "How do we effect change?"