Neo-Underground Railroad Conductors

James Madison News Release:

Neo-Underground Railroad Conductors (NURC)

The Neo-Underground Railroad Conductors (NURC) is a national movement that began at James Madison University by a few students committed to positive change and social action just four years ago. The movement was spread to over fifty universities through the annual Carol F.S. Hardy National Student Black Leadership & Development Conference. NURC has just recently received 501(c)3 Non-Profit Status.

Three years ago, NURC launched a national letter writing campaign addressing the negative content and images in Hip Hop videos. Thousands of letters were sent to various icons and media conglomerates such as Viacom.

In 2006, NURC planned Katrina on the Ground- a spring break initiative that mobilized hundreds of students across the nation to spend their Spring Breaks in the Gulf Coast region, working in the lower 9 th ward of New Orleans and interviewing local residents.

The local chapter of NURC visits the Harrisonburg Boys & Girls Club Teen Center every week with programming addressing a variety of issues including Hip Hop, Gangs, Teen Pregnancy, and more.

We meet every Sunday to plan programs, discuss controversial topics, and serve as a network of like-minded individuals. Like our mission statement says, we are committed to “freedom, education, enlightenment, and empowerment.”

For more information, please contact Kelly Greer at greerka at jmu dot edu or visit our site at www.nurc.org.