H3 Enterprises Inc (HTRE)

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Hip-hop venture looking to set up shops here
YOUTH | Sites would teach teens about economic development

June 22, 2007
BY CHERYL V. JACKSON [e-mail]
A hip-hop teen hangout concept is headed for Chicago, with a social activist leading the way.

Benjamin Chavis took the helm this month of New York-based H3Enterprises Inc., which promoted itself as being the first publicly traded hip-hop company and plans to develop a worldwide chain of HipHopSodaShop locations providing places for teaching youth about business, while offering a menu of healthy foods, cybergaming, merchandise and hip-hop music.

After a two-year delay, the first spot is under construction in St. Petersburg, Fla. Negotiations are in the works for the real estate for a shop in New York. And Chavis is in Chicago today to look for leads on potential Chicago area locations.

Shops in the Loop and on the South Side are a given, said Chavis, who is meeting with youth and hip-hop community leaders, commercial real estate agents and business players.

"We're looking for opportunities to invest in developing communities," said Chavis, former CEO of the NAACP and president and co-founder -- along with hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons -- of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network coalition of artists and recording industry executives. "Our concept is how to inspire, promote and sustain economic development.

"We're going to teach young people about economic development."

The facilities will range in size from 6,000 to 12,000 square feet.

"This is a combination of the best health food, video gaming and the best in wholesome hip-hop music," he said.

H3 also owns BG7, an energy drink endorsed by Chicago Bull Ben Gordon and being tested in Chicago. http://www.suntimes.com/business/439073,CST-FIN-hiphop22.article