Hip-Hop Summit council founder Charles Fisher and Russell Simmons are planning to bring a Hip-Hop Institute, museum and cultural center to York College in downtown Jamaica Queens. The museum would feature items from rappers and moguls who originate from Queens like Run DMC, LL Cool J, Nas and 50 Cent as well as notable artists from across the hip-hop genre.

The center could start construction as early as next year and would include exhibits, classes on history and memorabilia of Hip-Hop culture. The educational center is the brainchild of Fisher, fellow Queens head Russell Simmons and State Senator Malcolm Smith (D St-Albans).

"We all sat down and decided we wanted to make something that was ongoing and that would have a lasting effect on community," Fisher told Times Ledger.com. "We can get Run-DMC's Adidas sneakers or the first hip-hop gold album. The whole history of hip-hop would be in that museum."

While the museum would provide a piece of Hip-Hop History, the institute will offer academic classes on the production and history of the industry in conjunction with York College's continuing education program. On the other hand, the cultural center would feature a community facility to teach young people about Hip-Hop as well as computers, employment, and civic responsibility.

"It is important that we provide our youth with a facility that will help them address the many problems they face daily," the Hip-Hop Summit Council said. "They need to know that we are there for them and will provide them with the tools to succeed in life."

In related news, Mount Vernon, NY city officials broke ground this week on the site of the future Hip-Hop Culture Gallery on South Fourth Avenue. Construction on the gallery is expected to begin in spring 2004 and will take 18 months to two years to finish.