Dipset Capo Jim Jones and soul singer Lyfe Jennings will join in the fight against AIDS, as they participate as panelist for the Third Annual Hip-Hop and Higher Education Symposium "HIV/AIDS and the Hip-Hop Generation," at Howard University.

This year's conference, which is sponsored by Howard University's Afro-American Studies Department, aims to raise awareness about the alarming increase in statistics of young African-American males and women infected with the deadly disease. There will be a screening of two short films courtesy of BET's Rap-It-Up campaign.

"The purpose of this year's symposium is to raise awareness about the staggering rates of HIV/AIDS infection in young African-American males and in particular African-American women who are members of the Hip-Hop generation," said the Chair of the symposium, Joshua Kondwani Wright, MA, in a statement. "It will also impart helpful knowledge, for those living with the disease, to lead a healthy life."

President & CEO of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, Dr. Benjamin Chavis and video vixen turned television personality, Melyssa Ford, are the keynote speakers for the event and will deliver the address. Washington Redskins running back, Clinton Portis, HIV/AIDS activist, Maria Davis will also participate in the symposium that will feature discussions on awareness and prevention, HIV/AIDS and the Black Church and HIV/AIDS and Black women.

The Third Annual Hip-Hop and Higher Education Symposium will take place at Howard University's Blackburn Center Ballroom from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. on March 27, 2008.

In related news, Jim Jones recently stood as an award recipient at the 5^th Annual Hip Hop Summit Action Awards, last month. Jones, along with Snoop Dogg and Ciara, were among those honored for their outstanding contributions in the community.