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.
These are NTA elementary school kids. They been at city hall repeatedly demanding their school not be closed to make way for downtown kids https://t.co/hHupnsxuXb
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) November 8, 2017
But one of my favorite Lil Chano productions is his newly released, real talk laced with satire YouTube video.
.@chancetherapper killed the game with this video. The lack of knowledge around political infrastructure & power in Chicago is keeping elected officials in office who don't need to be there. Excited to see what else he brings through the @Chicagoist. https://t.co/pSgbd50fGu
— Sis. Peeples Servin' Real Talk 🗣️🙌🏾 (@PeeplesChoice85) December 3, 2018
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!
.@HowardLFuller said it was time for millennials to lead the edu. fight. So @JSingleton101 & I held the first "Millennials of Color in Edu." meetup here in #Chicago & the group was so dope. S/o to @EduLeadersRI & @EdLoCnational for the blueprint & Dr. Fuller for the foundation! pic.twitter.com/80hIjBtN7A
— Sis. Peeples Servin' Real Talk 🗣️🙌🏾 (@PeeplesChoice85) November 2, 2018
Photo courtesy Chicagoist TV via YouTube

Tanesha Peeples

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