By Courtney Dentch
Hollis-bred hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons was slated to return to Queens this week to donate $10,000 to the Queens Borough Public Library.
Simmons, founder of the Def Jam record label and chief executive officer of Rush Communications, was scheduled to donate the money Wednesday afternoon, according to the library. The donation will be used to help fund the library’s youth programs.
Following the presentation of the gift, Simmons was expected to emcee a youth program featuring Def Poets, a poetry reading session mixed with hip-hop, and an open mic session for Queens’ youth.
Simmons is also being honored by the library next week. He will be a guest of honor at the Queens Library Foundation’s Gala, which will be held Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Russo’s On the Bay in Howard Beach. He is being recognized for his philanthropic work with youth across the country, including the National Hip-Hop Youth Summit, which encourages teens to get involved in their communities.
Proceeds from the gala will benefit the Queens Library’s Futures Fund, which provides resources for the library’s children’s programming.
