Michael Skolnik

Michael Skolnik is the Political Director to hip-hop pioneer Russell Simmons, and the co-President of GlobalGrind.com, an online resource for all things "Hip-Pop", founded by Russell. GlobalGrind is Pop, the "Hip" side of popular culture. Chronicling celebrities, lifestyles, entertainment news, fashion, music and politics with an authoritative voice, GlobalGrind reaches over 4.5 million people a month, predominantly serving a multi-racial segment of the 18-34 population.

In his role as Political Director, Michael oversees Russell's entire social justice, political and philanthropic endeavors. The focus of their work together is based around three core themes: education, poverty and ignorance. Prior to his work for Russell, Michael spent over a decade as an award winning film director and producer.

Most recently, Michael has appeared on MSNBC's Melissa Harris Perry Show, CNN's Morning with Soledad O'Brien, CNN's Town Hall Special "Beyond Trayvon," CNN's Early Start, CNN with Don Lemon, CNN with Suzanne Malveaux, NPR with Michelle Martin, MSNBC's Tamron Hall Show, HLN's Dr. Drew Show, HLN's Jane Velez Mitchell Show, Current TV, Fox News, BBC, Al Jazeera's The Stream, and numerous other print and radio interviews.

A guest speaker at Big Ideas Chicago, University of California at Los Angeles, Princeton University, Georgetown University, University of Michigan, Tulane University, American University, Southern University, University of Wisconsin, University of Delaware, University of Idaho, Pomona College and Bates College, Michael has also spoken at numerous private functions.

Michael serves on the Board of Directors for The Trayvon Martin Foundation and Knocked Up! Now What?. He also works for the Leadership Council of Gen44, the Democratic Party's group for young people and young professionals, as well as being on the advisory board of Kid Power, a non-profit serving the children of Washington, DC.

Michael is the founder of Dot2Dot, an annual summit of one hundred of the millenials most important leaders, who gather to engage in a conversation about the future of the generation.

He is a graduate of the UCLA School Of Film, Theater and Television.

For press, please contact: Rachel Noerdlinger at Rachel@noerdlingermedia.com

For speaking engagements, please contact: Michael Carrasquillo at Mike.Corporate@gmail.com