Chance the Rapper Donates $1 Million to Chicago Public Schools

From Harper's BAZAAR

Chicago native Chance the Rapper has pledged to donate $1 million to public schools in his hometown, with a $10,000 contribution to 10 different schools in the city. The funds, which will come from the proceeds of his upcoming tour, will benefit arts programming. The Grammy-winning artist, born Chancellor Bennett, staged a press conference in a local South Side classroom today to announce his new philanthropic venture.

"The check that I donated is a call to action. I'm challenging major companies and corporations Chicago and across the U.S. to donate and take action," he said. To encourage business to make their own donations, Bennett promised to give an additional $10,000 for every $100,000 contribution.

"While I'm frustrated and disappointed in the governor's inaction, that will not stop me from continuing to do all I can to support Chicago's most valuable resource: it's children," he added, calling out Illinois' Governor, Bruce Rauner, whom he met with on March 3.

Their discussion on Chicago's public school system funding left Bennett "flustered," he said last week. When he was approached by press after the gathering, he said Rauner gave him "vague answers." Chance, a father to a one-year-old daughter and organizer of "open mike" nights for Chicago high-schoolers, added, "I'm not a politician. I'm here 'cause I'm a dad, I'm an after-school teacher."

The artist will start revealing which schools he's donating to tomorrow, but until then, he's urging fans to buy tickets for his upcoming shows, which will fund the project.

Fellow Chicago native, former First Lady Michelle Obama, showed her support for the rapper's charitable work. She tweeted today: "Thanks @chancetherapper for giving back to the Chicago community, which gave us so much. You are an example of the power of arts education."

Watch Chance's full press conference, which Bennett live-streamed on Periscope.

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