Apr 24, 2018 2 min read

National radio, TV and social media personality Charlamagne tha God will discuss “Hip-hop, Race and Social Activism” when California University of Pennsylvania presents its 13th annual Hip-hop Conference Friday.

Charlamagne will join Pittsburgh social activist Leon Ford for a keynote presentation at 3 p.m. in the Morgan Hall Learning Resource Center on Cal U.’s main campus in California.

Prior to the keynote, Cal U. students and local artists will engage in a roundtable discussion, “Pursuing My Artistry or Going to College.” The discussion starts at 2, also in Morgan Hall.

Charlamagne tha God, aka Lenard McKelvey, is co-host of the nationally syndicated iHeartRadio program “The Breakfast Club” and author of the New York Times bestseller, “Black Privilege, Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It.” He is the founder and executive producer of the production company CThaGod World LLC and co-host of the popular Brilliant Idiots podcast.

Leon Ford became a social activist after he was shot by Pittsburgh police during a traffic stop in 2012. He is paralyzed and uses a wheelchair. In January, the city agreed to pay $5.5 million to settle a lawsuit over the case. Since the shooting, Ford has traveled the country to share his story and speak out on topics including police-community relations, affordable housing and accessibility. In 2017, Pittsburgh City Paper named Ford its first Pittsburgher of the Year.

Admission to the conference is free. Metered parking for visitors is available in lots 10 and 17 on campus.