Chance The Public Servant Takes on Civics Education

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I think we all know by now that Mr. Chancelor Bennett, bka Chance the Rapper, is going to speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. And one of the most refreshing things about Chance and his commentary is that he, as the Migos would say it, “walks it like he talks it”.

Born and raised in Chicago, Chance has been a hardcore advocate for underserved communities in his city–especially for youth and their education, mental health and civic engagement.

ICYMI, here’s what Chance has been up to.

He started his organization, SocialWorks, to empower kids through the arts, education and civic engagement.

He’s donated and raised millions of dollars for neighborhood schools and the support of mental health services through his “My State of Mind” initiative.

And Chance has consistently fought alongside the students and parents of the Level 1+, predominantly low-income National Teachers Academy, including recently writing an op-ed in support of a court injunction to stop the school from closing.

But one of my favorite Lil Chano productions is his newly released, real talk laced with satire YouTube video.

 

Chance Gives Chicagoans a Course in City Council Nonsense

 

“Champ Bennett” hits the streets of Chicago to talk politics with constituents and alderman Hannibal Burress – a fictional but accurate portrayal of a career politician – to take us on a walkthrough of how city council works.

The video exposes how little many of us know about the city council’s infrastructure and power. And if you read between the punchlines, it also points to how that unawareness is being used to maintain the status quo.

Champ Bennett also heard from current millennial aldermanic candidates who touched on the intentional exclusion of youth voices in politics and how difficult incumbent aldermen have made it for them to get on the ballot.

My favorite comment from that segment came from my homie, fellow Kenwood Academy alum and 9th Ward Aldermanic candidate, Cleopatra Watson.

 

She spoke about the absence of civics education in schools and how that has contributed to limited civic engagement.  This, I think, is a very real fact and supports the argument of these students suing their state for failure to prepare them to be active citizens–all of which makes Chance’s and these candidates’ work that much more important.

 

If you haven’t seen the video yet, definitely check it out. And if you’ve been sleep on “Chance The Public Servant” (I gave him that name, lol), start following him. Because as a hardcore education advocate myself, I’m loving the work he’s doing in our city!

 

Matter of fact and shameless plug, *taps mic*:

 

Chance, my Millennials of Color in Education group and I would love to work with you on some of these issues. Come kick it with us this Saturday at B.A.E. (Brunch, Advocacy and Education) at Luella’s!

Photo courtesy Chicagoist TV via YouTube

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Tanesha Peeples

South Side community leader Tanesha Peeples is a Chicago Public Schools alumna and proud Englewoodian. She currently serves on the board of the Montessori School of Englewood. Formerly, she served the Deputy Director of Outreach for Education Post, for whom she penned the long-running column Hope and Outrage. As an undergraduate student at Northern Illinois University, Tanesha began to develop a passion for and understand the importance of public service. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration, she returned to Chicago with a new perspective on community, politics and civic engagement. Tanesha then attended and graduated from DePaul University with a master’s degree in public service management and urban planning and development. Throughout her professional career, Tanesha has used her education, passion and experience to navigate a number of nonprofit, political and independent ventures, advancing her mission to educate and empower marginalized populations. Prior to joining Education Post, she also managed her own consulting firm specializing in community relations. Tanesha’s vision is one where everyone—regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender or zip code—can have access to a comfortable quality of life and enjoy the freedoms and liberties promised to all Americans. Find her on Twitter at @PeeplesChoice85.
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