Hip Hop Pioneer Darryl McDaniels of the Legendary Rap Group Run-DMC Announces Partnership with Children’s Aid and Family Services
“DMC” to headline public awareness campaign of adoption and foster care for the Paramus-
based nonprofit human services organization
Paramus, NJ -- At a press conference taking place on Monday, May 12, 2008, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of the legendary rap group, Run-DMC, will be announcing his partnership with Children’s Aid and Family Services, one of the state’s largest regional, nonprofit human services organizations serving northern New Jersey. McDaniels hopes that his high profile will give a voice to the thousands of children currently in the foster care/adoption system in New Jersey while raising awareness that “It’s Cool to Care.”
McDaniels will be featured on the agency web site, video and radio PSAs, and billboards throughout northern New Jersey urging people to find out how they can make a difference in an adoptive or foster child’s life. Moreover, he will be making visits to the agency’s group homes to speak with the children, listen to their concerns, and act as a role model for the boys and girls awaiting adoption or to be reunited with their families.
“When I saw what the agency has done in the past and continues to do for families, I was flattered when they asked for my help. I said: ‘What do you need me for?’” stated McDaniels. “DMC means ‘Darryl McDaniels’, but now it also stands for my new mission -- ‘Deliver My Children.’”
Since McDaniels discovered in 2000 that he was adopted, he has been a strong advocate for the cause, receiving a Congressional “Angels in Adoption Award” for his work. Alongside Sheila Jaffe, the Casting Director of The Sopranos and Entourage, McDaniels started The Felix Organization /Adoptees For Children in February of 2006. The Foundation was created to provide opportunities and new experiences that will enrich the lives of children who are growing up without parents. McDaniels also founded Camp Felix, a summer camp component to McDaniels’ Felix Organization, which provides 150 foster children annually with a childhood outdoors experience.
McDaniels’ documentary “DMC: My Adoption Journey,” produced with VH1 in 2007, won the Emmy in the “Outstanding Arts & Culture Programming” category.
More recently McDaniels gave testimony on January 24, 2008, to the New Jersey Senate panel in support of a bill, SB 611 that would allow adult adoptees to obtain their original birth records. His testimony helped convince the Senate to pass the legislation, which is now in committee before coming before the State Assembly.
“When they (children in foster care) look at me, I want them to say, ‘You’re the same as me.’ I want them to understand that there is no one more special than them in this world,” said McDaniels. “The agency and I both believe in assisting these kids to fly in their futures. We want to find families to care for them, to give them hope, and to motivate them to fulfill their dreams.”
McDaniels helped form Run-DMC - the legendary trio credited with revolutionizing and pioneering the rap genre in the early 1980’s. Run-DMC sold more than 30 million albums and singles worldwide, and was the first rap act to earn RIAA gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums, have a #1 R&B charting rap album, and a Top 10 Pop charting rap album. Furthermore, they were the first rap act to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, receive a Grammy Award nomination, have a video added to MTV, appear on Saturday Night Live and American Bandstand, and be signed to an athletic product endorsement deal (Adidas), and the only rap act to perform at Live Aid in 1985. The group went on to release eight albums and toured extensively up until the untimely death of Jam Master Jay in 2002. DMC released a critically acclaimed biography-King of Rock (St. Martin’s Press) and in 2005 released his solo album Check, Thugs and Rock n Roll that included the hit single “Just Like Me”- featuring Sarah McLaughlin. In between his speaking engagements, and philanthropic work, McDaniels can be found in the studio working on his next album.
“We are so excited and honored that Darryl will be working with us to help bring awareness to children currently in foster care, available for adoption, and those aging out of foster care,” said Bob Jones, PhD, President & CEO of Children’s Aid and Family Services. “Darryl, whose documentary about exploring his past as a foster child and adoptee won an Emmy award, provides a positive role model to these children that they are not alone, that someone as successful and famous as DMC really cares about them.”
About Children’s Aid and Family Services
Children’s Aid and Family Services is one of the largest regional, nonprofit human services organizations serving northern New Jersey. The agency is fully accredited and has served the community for more than 100 years. Its mission is to preserve, protect and, when needed, provide families. Motivated by compassion for vulnerable children, young adults, frail elderly and their families, it provides high-quality and innovative services that meet their social, educational and emotional needs. For more information, visit www.cafsnj.org.
More information on Darryl McDaniels can be found at www.me-dmc.com
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