Hip Hop Meets the Green Movement

As part of his 30-day crowd-funding campaign, Pursuit of a Green Planet producer Keith Tucker teams up with vegan trailblazer, public health nutrition expert, speaker, and author Tracye McQuirter to promote health and sustainability through Tracye’s best-selling book, By Any Greens Necessary and through the 30-day fundraising campaign for the new film project, Pursuit of a Green Planet. Watch the video to see Keith and  Tracye announce the campaign launch and discuss healthy living at Eddie Rye’s Urban Northwest Forum show on am 1150 KKNW.

Film contributors will enjoy Tracye McQuirter’s best-selling book, By Any Greens Necessary: A Revolutionary Guide for Black Women Who Want to Eat Great, Get Healthy, Lose Weight, and Look Phat. In the book, Tracye shows us how  chronic diseases (such as heart disease, stroke, cancers, diabetes, and obesity) can be prevented and often reversed by eating plenty of plant-based foods that we all know are good for us. Foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes (or, beans, nuts, lentils, and split peas).That means eating meals like Curried Chick Peas with Sun-dried Tomatoes; Oven-Grilled Veggie Shish-Kabob; Spicy Kale Salad; Toasted Olive Bread with Fresh Basil and Garlic Sauce; Chocolate Chip Cookies; and Raspberry Banana Smoothies.

“This film is exciting to me because it brings a message of health and sustainability to young people in a way that they can relate too. I look forward to contributing and participating in the Pursuit of a Green Planet,” says Tracye McQuirter.

As a member of the first generation of Hip Hop, producer Keith Tucker will be taking his project on the road as he tours the nation talking to some of Hip Hop’s biggest icons who are vegetarian, vegan, and committed activists addressing diverse environmental and health issues. Friends of the project include Van Jones, Reverend Lennox Yearwood, Jr., Alexandra Jamieson, Stic Man of Dead Prez, Justin Bua, Persia White, Dick Gregory, Dr E Faye Williams, Angela Pifer, Afya Ibomu, Saul Williams, and Robert Cheeke, to name a few.

During his travels, Keith will host Hip Hop Green Dinners, a community vegan dining experience geared towards urban youth who identify with Hip Hop culture. The dinners are a combination of information and entertainment, featuring vegan chefs, organic farmers, holistic nutritionists, personal trainers, and hip hop performers. By breaking bread and sharing information in a relaxed and entertaining environment, Hip Hop Green Dinners help youth make the connection between their diet, lifestyle, and health.

Pursuit of a Green Planet is hosting the National Home Potluck Tweetup on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 3 PM. Invite friends to bring a brown bag or potluck item to gather at your home for community gatherings around the nation at 3 PM in each time zone. This Tweetup will rally support around the film project’s IndieGoGo campaign and bring people together  for this health movement. Connect on Twitter and Facebook to chat with celebrities, hip hop stars, artists, community leaders, environmental activists and health experts using the hashtag #HipHopisGreen.

Pursuit of a Green Planet is asking for support during a 30-day film funding campaign using the crowd-funding platform IndieGoGo.

“We choose to use “crowd-funding” because it is a new and innovative way for creative arts projects like ours to make our vision a reality. Plus, it allows us to reach out to the very people who are concerned and affected by the issues we are examining in the film,” says Keith Tucker.

By Any Greens Necessary is now being offered as an extra added perk of the 30-day fundraising campaign at the”Nutrient Level” and above at www.indiegogo.com/pursuitofagreenplanet.

Tracye McQuirter has a Master’s degree in public health nutrition from New York University, where she was awarded an academic fellowship and studied under renowned nutritionist Marion Nestle. She received
her undergraduate degree in African American Studies from Amherst, the nation’s top liberal arts college. She was inspired to become a vegetarian there during a lecture given by human rights activist and humorist Dick Gregory. Trayce directed the Vegetarian Society of DC Eat Smart program, the nation’s first federally-funded and community-based vegan nutrition program, launched with funding from the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services. In this innovative, hands-on course targeting low-income DC residents, Trayce taught participants about the health benefits of plant-based foods, and how to shop for and prepare healthy vegan meals. The popularity of the program resulted in a waiting list of more than 250 people—a remarkable achievement for a community-based course about eating vegan. Trayce received an award of excellence for development and leadership of the Eat Smart Program from the Vegetarian Society of DC. www.byanygreensnecessary.com

Pursuit of a Green Planet is more than just a film project. It is poised to become the boldest voice of the growing health consciousness movement in Hip Hop. The film takes a critical look at the connections between food, culture, economics, and the epidemic of obesity-related diseases plaguing America’s youth. Contributing to Pursuit of a Green Planet is a way for you to vote for media you would like to see. We’ll get there through donations both large and small. Everyone will receive a public thanks through the website, social media, and blog. Depending on the amount you contribute, you can receive wonderful perks including Cooking Healthy Lessons and the official Pursuit of a Green Planet DVD, as well as many other products from the many vegan, green, and hip hop partners associated with the film  project.  www.indiegogo.com/pursuitofagreenplanet.