By Ray Robinson
Al Porter Jr. is a force to be reckoned with. As a cape less crime fighter, he has taken to utilizing the microphone as his secret weapon to bring people together. And, this brother has done a phenomenal job at doing just that.
- During a recent phone conversation with this community advocate, leader and undercover super hero-I asked about his longtime gathering of minds and music at his Hip-Hip Workshops housed on the campus of Cleveland State University and about the many exploits and experiences of the Black on Black organization that he belongs to.
“Black on Black Crime Inc Hip-Hop Workshop was started in January 2004 in the Neighborhood Ping Pong and Chess House which was also the home of BBCI in the Historic city of East Cleveland. The Hip Hop Workshop was started to use Hip Hop to bring families together and with our tagline of “You Can be Mean but keep it Clean” so families can attend”, Porter stated.
“We used Edutainment as our foundation and we would put speakers, politicians, activist , and teachers between every 4 or 5 acts so to the public would stay aware. This helped us survive through the years as a free family show which was the 1st Hip-Hop Show invited to be in the Call and Post Office. Plus we received a Proclamation from the City of East Cleveland and held a Workshop in the East Cleveland Theater and EC Library.”
“For over a decade we have met every 1st Saturday of the month 1:55pm – 6pm 1899 Main Classroom Bldg . E.22 Enter from Chester or Euclid ave. Large room #136 where we have a written exam for the entire family starting at 1:55 pm sharp then Long time DJ Dollar Rock plays tributes to music Legends and we are in partnership with CSU Department of Africana Studies.”
“Truth is, Hip-Hop is our Music which the foundation comes from James Brown, Gil Scott Heron, The Last Poets, Pigmeat Markham etc. “
Al Porter, Art McKoy, Erroll Porter and an entire posse of other positive minded individuals are hellbent on making a change in the mindset of not only African-Americans, but on our nation as a whole. You need to check them out if you haven’t already. Are YOU ready to be a leader in your community ?
Look for Al’s show on Voice It Radio, one of the city’s premier internet radio stations. Voice It Radio is owned and operated by Erroll Porter. You can see Erroll on Cleveland’s TV20 and also in stage emceeing concerts and other events around the area.
You can reach Al Porter at: 216-804-7462 or by email : jrporteralfred1969@gmail.com fb Black on Black Crime Inc Hip Hop Workshop.