'Our kids should not be held hostage': Chance The Rapper to donate $1 million to Chicago Public Schools after 'unsuccessful' meeting with governor
Chance The Rapper has announced that he is donating $1 million to Chicago Public Schools.
The 23-year-old rapper - real name Chancellor Johnathan Bennett - made the declaration during a press conference on Monday at Wescott Elementary School in Chicago.
At the event he said: 'Our kids should not be held hostage because of political positions.'
Scroll down for video
Taking a stand: Chance The Rapper announced that he is donating $1 million to Chicago Public Schools on Monday
Happy: The 23-year-old rapper - real name - presented kids with a large check at the event held in Wescott Elementary School in Chicago
This comes just days after a meeting with Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner where he said he was left 'flustered' after the politician gave him 'vague' answers leading the rapper to describe it as 'unsuccessful.'
At Monday's event Chance took direct aim at the Republican representative as he said: 'Governor Rauner can use his executive power to help get Chicago's children the resources they need to fulfill their God-given right to learn.
'Governor Rauner still won't commit to give Chicago's kids a chance without caveats or ultimatums.'
No Problem: At the event he said: 'Our kids should not be held hostage because of political positions'
The Republican first-term governor had vetoed $215 million in school pension help in December.
The independent artist labeled his contribution a 'call to action' and also asked for matching contributions from the Windy City's business community.
He said: 'I’m challenging major companies across the U.S. to donate and take action.
'CPS (Chicago Public Schools) students have spoke, recently at one of our open mics, and would like corporations to invest in them the way we’ve invested in their businesses. As a private citizen, a parent, and a product of CPS, I’m asking you to fight with me.'
Wide reach: He broadcasted the press conference around the world via Periscope
Philanthropic: The rapper said: 'I'm challenging major companies across the U.S. to donate and take action'
Grand gesture: On top of the $1 million donation, the No Problem hitmaker's non-profit organization, Social Works, will donate $10,000 to the school of its choice for every $100,00 raised in outside funds
On top of the $1 million donation, the No Problem hitmaker's non-profit organization, Social Works, will donate $10,000 to the school of its choice for every $100,00 raised in outside funds.
Chance is no stranger to politics as his father Ken Williams-Bennett was an aide to former Chicago mayor Harold Washington and also worked for then-Senator Barack Obama. He is currently a deputy chief to Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
His mother, Lisa Bennett, previously worked for Illinois' attorney general.
This all began after the proud Chicagoan took home three gongs a the Grammy Awards last month as Governor Rauner tweeted him congratulations leading to Chance asking for a meeting.
Not pleased: On Friday Chance met with Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner on Friday to press for immediate funding for cash-strapped Chicago Public Schools
Interesting: The Republican first-term governor (pictured after Friday's meeting) said he'd had a 'good exchange of views' with Chance - but the rapper said he was 'flustered' by 'vague answers'
However the Same Drugs hitmaker did not look pleased after leaving Chicago's Thompson Center on Friday after almost 40 minutes.
'That went a little different than it should have,' he told reporters. 'I'm here because I just want people to do their jobs.'
Rauner had a different take, calling it a 'good exchange of views.'
'Having a dialogue with someone who's passionate about a better future for the young people in Chicago and Illino$215 million in school pension helpis, I'm with him 100 percent,' Rauner said. 'We may not agree on everything, that's OK.'
Chance has also updated his website to add a link where fans can contribute to Chicago Public Schools.
Foreshadowing: On Friday Chance indicated later on Twitter that he'd keep defending Chicago's public schools and pledged to return on Monday morning with a plan
'The fight has just begun': He also made this declaration after the meeting
Different take: Rauner meanwhile offered a milder account of his meeting with the rapper, saying the two had talked about the importance of getting more funding for all school children in the state
Most watched News videos
- Transgender woman begs for life prior to being beaten to death
- The Manly ferry tackles huge swells over the weekend
- Violent brawl breaks out after man is savagely headbutted to floor
- CCTV captures moment British rape victim enters petrol station
- Leopards attack giant Rock Python in Kruger National Park
- Ecologist feeding crocodile weeks before losing his leg to one
- Louis Tomlinson challenges photographer before taking out fan
- Sad panda rushes to keeper after being bullied by sibling
- President Trump surprises visitor group touring the White House
- Mum-of-two belts out incredible rendition of Beyonce's hit Listen
- The Walking Dead: New strain of spice turns homeless into zombies
- Avalanche: Hundreds of skiers flee mountain in Tignes
- The horrific moment a transsexual woman is dragged from...
- Boyfriend who ‘kidnapped British backpacker’ in Australia...
- Trump's inauguration - the OFFICIAL photos: The National...
- 'Diana was the only woman he told': Former Royal butler...
- 'F*** you. The truth is out': George Michael's boyfriend...
- Woman, 26, appears in court charged with 'raping a man...
- 'This is it. I’ve got to kill you now': Court hears what...
- Commuter's fury as she is fined £615 for not buying a...
- British backpacker, 22, 'raped and abused' for TWO MONTHS...
- Jobseeker, 26, is turned away from an interview at Boots...
- 'I sleep pretty good at night': Casey Anthony says...
- 'When I pulled her out, her intestine was in my hands':...
- Teenager posts online 'snuff movie' showing him stabbing...
- North Korea is 'training for an attack on US bases in...
- RAF fighter jets are scrambled to intercept a cargo...
- The village of the sex scammers: Moroccan town where...
- 'Obamacare GONE': Republicans publish their plan to...
- Skiers escape serious injury after being hit by ‘hugely...