In  August of 2010 Amina, Coolout Chris, and Ang13, three grassroots hip-hop artists  from Chicago, were selected as United States Cultural Envoys by the U.S.  Department of State. Representing the ‘Chicago Hip-Hop Initiative’ an artist  collective, these artists visited 7 regions of the West African nation of Cote  d’Ivoire (the Ivory Coast) performing, conducting workshops, and initiating  dialogue on the many ways hip-hop can be used to promote and affect progressive  social change. What follows is a cultural exchange, that changes everyone’s life  forever! The American’s don’t speak French. Most of the Ivorians they meet don’t  speak English, but fortunately for everyone they all speak HIP-HOP!

In her directorial  debut, Nigerian-American writer, performing artist, and hip-hop activist, Amina  Norman-Hawkins, also stars in the film. Amina has spent the past 15 years as an  active member of Chicago’s hip-hop community. She is now half of the production  and performance duo ‘Urbanized Music’, Executive Director of Chicago Hip-Hop  Initiative, and Co-Founder of both Chicago Hip-Hop Heritage Month, & the ‘B-Girl Power’ movement. She is a community organizer, mentor, and respected  national voice on women in hip-hop, and the progressive local urban arts  movement in Chicago.

The film also stars Chicago  based producer, emcee, dj, and activist ‘Coolout’ Chris Hawkins, who is the  other half of the Urbanized Music production duo, as well as Music Director for  Chicago Hip-Hop Initiative; And producer, emcee, b-girl, graffiti artist, and  entrepreneur Angela ‘Ang13’ Zone.

Keep It Moving-The Movie chronicles Chicago Hip-Hop  Initiative’s 2-week tour of Cote d’Ivoire where they were hosted by the U.S.  Embassy in Abidjan. Completely shot with 2 Flip HD video recorders, and 2  smart-phones, this independently produced documentary showcases hip-hop artists  and local music from around Cote d’Ivoire, and takes audiences on a road trip  like no other. From a weaving village cooperative, to a night club where hip-hop  isn’t allowed, to helping inspire a whole cultural movement… These 3-artists  wind up affecting more change than anyone could have ever imagined.

For more information and to  watch the movie visit www.keepitmovingthemovie.info  or  www.urbanizedmusic.com