Rapper speaks at first annual banquet

In an effort to get more students involved in the recently developed NAACP chapter at IU, a First Annual Freedom Fund Banquet will take place at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Bloomington Convention Center, 302 S. College Ave. Hip-hop artist Talib Kweli will speak about the banquet's topic: diversity.\nKweli, one of hip-hop's most critically acclaimed artists, ushered in a revamp of "hip-hop" music in the mid-'90s, taking hip-hop back to its roots and away from the gangsta rap of the time, according to All Music Guide. \n"He is a controversial rapper," said Karma Calhoun, president of the IU chapter of the NAACP. "We are bringing him out to celebrate diversity."\nThe Freedom Fund banquet is a long-standing tradition for NAACP chapters across the country. Because IU's chapter is new, its leaders wanted to organize a fund- raiser, Calhoun said. Bringing out a big name like Kweli will hopefully bring other students out of different nationalities and backgrounds, she said.\n"We hope that we can get different people of all races, to gather and celebrate the awards we're giving out," Calhoun said. "We really want a chance for everyone to come out, be together -- a melting pot."\nOn Sunday evening three awards will be presented. Two $300 scholarships will be given; one for a student who is a single parent and the other for a student who has overcome hardship and has still shown academic improvement. The third award will be presented to a faculty member who has promoted diversity throughout the campus, and Charlie Nelms, the vice president for institutional development and student affairs, will be the honoree this year.\nTickets are $12 and can be bought at the Student Activities Desk in the Indiana Memorial Union.