By: Taren Vaughan
Kanye West does good in the community for Chicago teens? Kanye West has had a very eventful past few days as he got caught attacking the paparazzi again. And this time he could be facing a lot more than just bad press as Kanye could be hit with a felony charge over his latest paparazzi attack, although Kanye’s camp claims the pap was being dramatic over the incident. Although Kanye normally makes headlines for his rants or attacks on the paparazzi nowadays, the rapper is on the verge of doing some very great things in the community for teenagers in the Chicago area in honor of his late mother Dr. Donda West with the establishment of new non-profit organization Donda’s House, Inc., which will be geared towards giving youth the opportunity to learn more about music, health and tap into their creative side in a positive setting. Donda’s House, Inc. is partnering with community youth center the ARK of St. Sabina to offer a pilot youth education and training program called “Got Bars” this upcoming August.
Here’s a snippet of the press release highlighting the goals and mission of Donda’s House, Inc. and the “Got Bars” program:
Donda’s House, Inc. a new non-profit organization established to honor the educational legacy of Dr. Donda West, the mother of Kanye West, by implementing arts and literature experiences that transform youth, will partner with the ARK of St. Sabina to offer a pilot youth education and training program called “Got Bars.”
Kanye West said, “My mom spent her life as an educator and I am happy that Donda’s House can pick up her torch and honor her life’s mission.”
Donda’s House co-founder and Assistant Director Che Rhymefest Smith said, “I am so happy to launch “Got Bars” to honor Kanye West’s mother’s memory and to fulfill one of my Aldermanic campaign goals. “Got Bars” will change our youth musically, get them healthy and keep them busy in a creative, peaceful environment. I know it will be an even stronger program because of our partnership with the ARK of St. Sabina.”
St. Sabina’s pastor Father Michael Pfleger said, “We are honored to partner with Donda’s House for this important new program. It complements our existing youth programs and will encourage more people to come to a creative safe haven here at Saint Sabina.”
The “Got Bars” program invites 15 – 24 year olds to apply for participation. The Program Goals include:
1. Each participant will create an original written piece that will be recorded or published and performed.
2. Each participant will improve his/her physical health through exercise and nutrition.
3. Each participant will learn life-skills (e.g. etiquette training, goal –setting, media-literacy, etc.)
The pilot program will run from August to October of this year.
Very dope Kanye.
Well good for him. He’s still a douche bag though.
This is really great of Kanye I would like to say that more often.
So he still has a heart? Cool.
Kudos to him.
Well it’s good to hear some positive things once and a while about ‘Ye. His mom would be proud to know he’s doing this.
Dope.
Can’t even say anything negative. That’s what’s up.
Lupe, this is how you lead in Chicago.
Oh wow.
I’m glad he’s doing something to help the youth in Chicago. Lord knows they need it.
We need more black celebrities and rappers standing up and saying something about the issues for black boys in Chicago.
you wont see this on TMZ
Good for Kanye, it’s nice to see him finally doing something positive for a change.
I think that every African American celebrity should follow the Oprah Winfrey model. Give give give! Forget the rants, forget the attention whoring. Just give. These guys simply sow seeds of negativity and seem to be surprised that the harvest that they reap is negative.