“Chance the Rapper, a Chicago native and recent Grammy Award-winning artist, announced that he will donate $1 million to support arts and enrichment programs in Chicago Public Schools,” writes Michael San Gabino on Tuesday (3/7) at Chicago radio station WFMT. “Chance has also created SocialWorks, an organization that will ‘empower youth through arts, education, and civic engagement while fostering leadership, accessibility, and positivity within the youth throughout Chicago.’ He has called upon Chicago businesses to financially support CPS in his SocialWorks campaign. The artist’s website asks visitors to help with CPS budget reform, stating: ‘Illinois’ education system is one of the most severely underfunded in the nation…. Despite having already cut $260 million in costs internally, CPS was left with a $215 million gap in their budget as of May 2016…. Charitable donations certainly help fill gaps … but can’t make up for less-than-adequate state funding of our schools.’ … Chance the Rapper, born Chancellor Bennett, attended Jones College Prep High School in downtown Chicago.… He received the 2017 Grammy Award for Best New Artist, as well as the awards for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance.”
Posted March 9, 2017
