TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The Ferguson Center Student Union will host the third annual Hip-Hop Summit at The University of Alabama with the theme “Changing Lives Through Hip-Hop,” beginning on Monday, Feb. 4 at noon and ending with a major event closing out the summit on Thursday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

This year’s summit will feature examples of hip-hop not commonly viewed by the public. The summit will also feature guest speakers who will give presentations on topics associated with hip-hop culture. For the first time, the summit has also formed a community partnership with Tuscaloosa’s Central High School.

The last night of the summit will be a showcase of hip-hop. The final performance will feature an array of up-and-coming artists, including Derryck “D-Sharp” Gleaton, singer/actress Sheniqua Trotman, dancer Christina Webber, DeMarcus Pruitt, nationally renowned artists L. Spencer Smith and Testament, and the Central High School Marching Band.

“This event will positively affect all groups by inspiring unity and bridging the gap between [different] communities,” says LaToya Scott, the coordinator of the Hip-Hop Summit

All events for the Hip-Hop Summit are free and open to the public, but the sponsors are asking those who attend each event to donate a dollar. All donations will be given to the Tuscaloosa Pre-K Initiative and the Adopt-a-Classroom program at Central High School.

The schedule includes:

Monday, Feb. 4
Hip-Hop Summit: “Exposed”
Noon – 2 p.m.
Ferguson Center Lobby, 2nd Floor

Live performances by local artists, hip hop trivia, lunch room rap battles

Tuesday, Feb. 5
Hip-Hop Summit: “Listening Party”
7:30 p.m.
Ferguson Center Heritage Room, 3rd Floor

Wednesday, February 6
Hip-Hop Summit: Step Tease Showcase
Noon – 1 p.m.
Ferguson Center Theater

Live step performance with sororities and fraternities together including: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Lambda Gamma, Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, and Sigma Lambda Beta.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.