Russel Simmons is considered a “hip-hop pioneer” for his groundbreaking vision, which has influenced music, fashion, finance, television and film, as well as the face of modern philanthropy. In 2007, USA Today named him one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People of the Past 25 Years.”
Mr. Simmons is the co-founder of Def Jam Records and Rush Communications and chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN). He is a highly successful serial entrepreneur, author of Do You! 12 Laws To Access The Power In You To Achieve Happiness and Success (2007). As a devout Buddhist and co-founder of several philanthropic organizations, he seamlessly interweaves interfaith values with corporate best practices.
His 2006 appointment to the role of United Nations Goodwill Ambassador has served to further his effort to empower, entertain and educate the world’s youth through the vehicle of music and culture. As a Goodwill Ambassador he has also brought attention to a campaign to address the problems of war, poverty, and HIV/AIDS, which supports the UN Millennium Development Goals as well as the CISRI-ISP fight against severe poverty and malnutrition. His commitment to sustainable change and improving the lives of youth both nationally and internationally is a deeply personal and far-reaching life mission.