Hip Hop Mogul Russell Simmons’s newly launched network, All Def Digital will host its first ever awards ceremony on Feb. 24 and many news outlets are talking about it including Variety Magazine.

All Def Digital produces a variety of content geared towards Hip Hop listeners and the African- American community. World Star Hip Hop Head Quarters, a weekly web series, is their most recent success. The network shares its content online through social media, but now the public will vote for nominees for best picture until Feb. 23, according to Variety.

Simmons, most known for cofounding Hip Hop label Def Jam and fashion label Phat Farm spearheads the network. He stated his opinion in a press release posted on the networks website:

“In 2016 there continues to be a stunning lack of diversity in the studios, in the green light process, in the decisions of what films and television series get made, and what stars get chosen. This needs to be addressed institutionally. The All Def Movie Awards are not the Black Oscars but they could be. This will be a fun, entertaining and hopefully thought provoking celebration of the uncelebrated.”

I think this is inspiring. I do not read Variety Magazine for news concerning Russell Simmons. Most of the time, I receive my information about him from the source including outlets such as Global Grind and ADD.

In Alyssa Sage’s article, I am interested by the content because I know why it was published and the exact circumstances that occurred that made this particular event notable. I’m sure all fans of Simmons and Hip Hop, the culture, and films with people of color in them will know as well.

I felt more so empowered by the fact his actions make buzz. This awards show follows the lack of diversity in the Oscar nominations. As a person of color, these are the topics I have become interested in and appear on my Facebook feed.

I understand Simmons motives because I have a grasp on his mission in life. We share common ideas, so I am interested by his projects. Cultural empowerment in multi-media astonishes me and I would like to contribute to the revolution.

Yes, I could get the degree and work towards a fulfilling degree in traditional journalism covering important news, but helping that’s not my end goal in life. I respect people like S.I. Newhouse, Jay-Z, Sean Combs, Oprah, and Simmons. I look up to them.

I do not know whether I would call it a dream job. I think I will make my own career whatever I want it to be.