Simmons Gives $10K To Library

Hip-hop mogul and Queens native Russell Simmons recently held a press conference to announce he had pledged $10,000 to the Queens Borough Public Library.
Simmons was also to be honored today at the Library Foundations Gala at Russos on the Bay in Howard Beach for his work with teens across the country. Simmons is the founder of a National Hip-Hop Summit which encourages teens to get involved in their communities.
At the press conference, Simmons stressed the importance of the Library as a force for public education.
"For me, education has become a primary concern. We have to understand how underfunded libraries and schools are," said Simmons.
Simmons has been a vocal critic of Mayor Michael Bloombergs budget cuts to schools and libraries, joining celebrities such as actor Bruce Willis and "Sex and the City" star Cynthia Nixon on the front of the picket lines.
"We recently held a rally downtown. The mayor thinks somehow we will go away. I want to bring attention to this issue," said Simmons.
Simmons grew up in southern Queens, attended August Martin High School, and started his own record line, Def Jam Records, which eventually expanded into a clothing line and recording and marketing empire.
He now lives in New Jersey, but said he understood the plight of city parents and would fight on their behalf.
"Kids in this city have nothing.We have not had a voice to protect the children.We need to push politicians who have control of budgets to education," said Simmons.
After the press conference, Simmons descended into the basement of the Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd. in Jamaica, where he emceed a poetry and open mic session for a group of assembled teens.
Simmons poetry protegs, Black Ice and Lemon, recited their poetry before making way for anyone bold enough to rhyme in front of their idol.
Alan Jenkins, 17, of John Adams High School, jumped at the chance to test his work before the racous audience, and recited a poem about the difficulty of day-to-day living.
"I write poems when Im stressed about life," Jenkins said. "It always gives me hope. Theres too much negativity. Poetry helps me realize theres good stuff in the world. It makes me realize that my life isnt that negative, and that I can make it."
Jenkins was followed by Koran Jones, a 37-year-old who was jumping at the chance to perform for Simmons, and recited a poem about misconceptions in the history of Afro-American relations.
"Ive read a lot of info and historical accounts. History did us a great injustice; there are other things we need to know about ourselves," said Jones.
After Jones, the once-timed audience loosened up, and the floor gave way to more amateur poets rhyming mostly about love and relationships, which seemed to amuse Simmons, who sat quietly and smiled throughout the affair.
One of the late readers was Kamal Kaalund, 14, of Jamaica, who went to the stage after being prodded by friends of his in the audience.
"I wanted everyone to hear me. I cant tell girls my poems by myself," Kaalund said.
The poetry reading was part of Simmons campaign to bring poetry back into the mainstream. Simmons said he became interested in poetry after hearing Black Ice, and is now producing a Broadway show to feature urban poets.
Simmons is one of the most beloved figures in the history of Queens hip-hop. In addition to starting Def Jam, Simmons is the brother of Run of the seminal hip-hop group Run-DMC, and is the former host of HBOs Russell Simmons "Def Comedy Jam," which featured urban comics on the cable channel.