Chance The Rapper on Monday announced that he is donating $1 million to Chicago Public Schools (CPS), while urging Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner come through with more spending on public education.
Chance then announced his $1-million donation to CPS.
.@chancetherapper is donating $1,000,000 to Chicago Public Schools
"Today, I'm proud to announce that I'm donating $1 million to CPS to support arts and arithmetics programming," the rapper said as a roomful of students' faces lit up and applause broke out.
Chance said the donation was made possible from ticket sales for his upcoming tour.
When asked why he was making the donation, the rapper responded, "'Cause it's what's right."
Chance concluded his press conference by thanking his supporters — and the parents and teachers of Chicago public schooling.
Like the students in the classroom, applause broke out across the internet.
LEGEND.
this just gave me goosebumps... NO ARTIST IN MUSIC TODAY IS DOING WHAT CHANCE IS DOING FOR THE YOUTH OF CHICAGO https://t.co/cIbYUk6Ljm
THIS is leadership! Thank you @chancetherapper! https://t.co/9QVGGAylt3
And more than a few people noted that an independent musician is doing more than people in office.
Chance is trying to do more for the children of Chicago than most politicians. https://t.co/b95a1ZCjSc
Why chance doing more then the government https://t.co/nTxqJWJTEk
It is profoundly sad that IL politicians care so little about funding public schools that they have to get a bailout from Chance the Rapper
Michelle Obama thanked the rapper for giving back to his home-city. "You are an example of the power of arts education," she wrote in a tweet.
Thanks @chancetherapper for giving back to the Chicago community, which gave us so much. You are an example of the power of arts education.
Civil rights activist Deray Mckesson hoped that "Chance's commitment to his hometown and to using his platform for the greater good" will inspire other non-politicians.
Chance's commitment to his hometown and to using his platform for the greater good are a model for other influencers.
And for folks who had purchased tickets just to attend Chance's shows — and now realizing it's helping to fund that $1 million check — 'twas all the more reason to celebrate.
When you realize that, by buying tix to @chancetherapper's upcoming tour, you just donated to public education in A… https://t.co/wae9mDAP5a
People even decided to update his moniker.
Chance the Philanthropist https://t.co/oJsYgP41hx
Chance The Mutha Fuckin Legend
UPDATE — The office of Governor Rauner sent a statement to BuzzFeed News following Chance's press conference and donation announcement.
"While the Rauners are passionate donors to our schools, individual contributions will never be enough to address the financial challenges facing CPS," Eleni Demertzis, a representative for Rauner's office responded in an email.
"It would be helpful if CPS officials came to Springfield and joined in serious good faith discussions about the long-term stability of all of our schools.”