Joy will fill the hearts of over 500 children in the DC area this winter thanks to the hip-hop community and Ian Callender of Suite Nation. Callender, in conjunction with Shoe City, Reebok, Everyday LaVan Photography and Young and Reckless, organized the fifth annual Kicks for Kids concert and charity shoe drive.

On Sunday, the 930 Club hosted this free event featuring performances by Meek Mill of Maybach Music Group and many local notables to include: Harmony Muzik, Kingpen Slim, Uptown XO, Gods’Illa, Black Alley and more. Fans raised money by donating online or at the door and received free tickets to the concert. Every 10 dollars raised sponsored one pair of shoes for sick and underprivileged children at area charities.

Harmony Muzik opened the show with special guest violinist Chelsea Green. Kingpen Slim, Uptown XO, Lyriciss, Pro’Verb, Mz Sasha and Gods’Illa rallied the crowd, then Meek Mill shut the house down and the Black Alley band topped off the show. It was a great night for hip-hop and garnered over $5,000 in donations.

Loaded with boxes and cheerful smiles, Callender and his team of artists and professionals delivered the proceeds from the show-- over 500 pairs of shoes-- to children in need at the National Children’s Medical Center and the Sasha Bruce House yesterday.  Kicks for Kids began over five years ago and since its inception has provided over 1,500 pairs of shoes for our area youth. Surpassing success from the previous years, Kicks for Kids and the DC hip-hop community are really making a difference this winter.