May 17th 2025, at our first Community Day event, we honored the first female rapper MC Sha-Rock.

Thank you to the following individuals for braving the heat, assisting with table set up and breakdown and so much more:

Abdul Shareef, Kemeka Sidbury, Jacqueline Gilmore Jackson, Bonnie Murray, Makaibu Jones, Lee Bellamy, Precious Bellamy and youth member Leah Montgomery.

Official Remarks by President LeRon Montgomery at the event:

“Today, as we gather for our first Community Day, it’s only fitting that we honor one of the true pioneers of hip-hop culture—MC Sha-Rock. Known as the ‘Mother of the Mic,’ Sha-Rock broke barriers as the first female emcee in a hip-hop group, paving the way for generations of artists who followed.

Born Sharon Green in the Bronx, she rose to prominence as a member of the legendary Funky 4 + 1, becoming the ’+1’ who made history when they became the first hip-hop group to appear on national television, performing on Saturday Night Live in 1981. Her presence on that stage wasn’t just a personal triumph—it was a cultural milestone.

Sha-Rock didn’t just claim space in a male-dominated scene—she helped build the foundation of the culture itself. Her style, her voice, and her courage to lead as a woman in a revolutionary movement continue to inspire not just emcees, but community leaders, educators, and visionaries.

As we celebrate community, resilience, and creativity today, let’s remember that we stand on the shoulders of pioneers like MC Sha-Rock. May her legacy remind us that change starts with a voice—and the courage to use it.”