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Is Chance using his fame for good OR is he using it for more fame? Does it matter?

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Should celebrities like Chance use their fame and money to involve themselves in politics and social issues? Why or why not?

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Which of these is the best use of Chance's celebrity?
(respond by making a comment.)

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Chance the Rapper ended speculation that he might run for mayor by announcing Tuesday that he endorsed attorney and community activist Amara Enyia in the Chicago race.

"I noticed that when I started talking about this that it obviously caused a firestorm in the tweets," Chance said at City Hall. "All the candidates started sweating because Chicago politics is about people knowing what's possible... Nobody wants to vote for who should be mayor everybody wants to vote for who could be mayor."

Speculation about "Chance for Mayor" began after he tweeted that he planned to make an announcement on the mayoral race at City Hall Tuesday. The announcement came after Chance tweeted "I'm thinking maybe I should," a reference to his song "Somewhere in Paradise," where the rapper sings, "They screaming Chano for mayor, I'm thinking maybe I should."

Enyia announced her campaign before Mayor Rahm Emanuel revealed that he would not seek re-election, giving way to a crowded and growing field of candidates. When asked why he would support Enyia, who was not widely considered to be a frontrunner, Chance said the odds of her victory did not factor into his decision.

"I'd like to say, very narcissistically, if I back you you have a chance absolutely and I want to work with somebody that's about change, somebody that's about our community, somebody that's about equity, somebody that's about fairness," he said.

He added that he's "got a lot of money - so it'll be scary."

Enyia ran for mayor in 2015 before exiting the race to back then-Ald. Bob Fioretti's unsuccessful bid. With a doctorate in education policy, she has worked as a public policy advisor in various capacities, recently for lieutenant governor candidate Ra Joy, who fell short in the Democratic primary alongside Chris Kennedy. Enyia, 35, lives in Garfield Park and is the director of the Austin Chamber of Commerce. She founded a social lab to educate on economic development, according to her website, and co-authored a book on municipal funding in Chicago.

Enyia called Chance's announcement "not your typical flash in the pan endorsement."

"Today is the beginning of Chicago's next level," she said.

Chance, whose real name is Chancelor Bennett, comes from a family with a political background and has spent millions of dollars of his own money to help Chicago Public Schools and mental health services. He has long been critical of the city's politics, particularly funding for education and the city's response to the 2014 fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald by Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

Chance's father Ken Bennett served as deputy chief of staff and director for Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Office of Public Engagement. The elder Bennett worked for former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington and President Barack Obama as well.

This time around, Ken Bennett is backing Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle for mayor, and was by her side as she announced her campaign last month.

"I think that Amara is the most qualified candidate," Chance said in response to questions on why he didn't join his father in endorsing Preckwinkle. "As far as my dad goes that's my family and at the end of the day I'm always going to love my dad, I'm always going to rock with my dad but that has nothing to do with what I see for the future of Chicago."

As for whether or not he'd ever considering running himself, Chance decided to put the rumors to rest.

"I probably won't ever be running for mayor of this city," the 25-year-old said.

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Chance the Rapper Endorses Amara Enyia for Mayor of Chicago

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Chance the Rapper ended speculation that he might run for mayor by announcing Tuesday that he endorsed attorney and community activist Amara Enyia in the Chicago race. "I noticed that when I started talking about this that it obviously caused a firestorm in the tweets," Chance said at City Hall.

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His support is on-going. He just retweeted this connection this week.

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CHICAGO, March 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Chance the Rapper and Ludacris joined Internet Essentials and city and school leaders at Alcott College Prep on Tuesday afternoon to kick off the popular Get Schooled, Get Connected Spring Challenge, which is designed to help thousands of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students prepare for college.

Chance The Rapper and Ludacris helped close the digital divide Tuesday by presenting new Internet Essentials laptops to Alcott College Prep students in Chicago. The surprise visit kicked off the Get Schooled, Get Connected Spring Challenge.

Chance the Rapper (left) and Ludacris present a new Internet Essentials laptop to an Alcott College Prep student on Tuesday in Chicago apart of the Get Schooled, Get Connected Spring Challenge.

Chance the Rapper (right) and Ludacris share a laugh after surprising students at Alcott College Prep on Tuesday in Chicago. Moments later, they handed out new Internet Essentials laptops to help kickoff the Get Schooled, Get Connected Spring Challenge.

Throughout the spring challenge, more than 112,000 CPS students will have access to free educational tools, resources and games - or "quests" - to engage with even when the school day ends. The quests include information about topics ranging from how to succeed in school and plan for your education to how to apply for college and financial aid resources. This content is delivered through an online technology platform on getschooledgetconnected.com, and it features a series of pop culture references and localized information that maintains students' interest.

"Data from the Get Schooled, Get Connected Fall Challenge shows the content not only holds students' interest, but the platform also engages and educates them about college opportunities," Alcott College Prep assistant principal Grace Moody said. "The challenge is a great tool for CPS students who want to go to college and for educators who want to help them advance."

Students may become eligible for prizes depending on the number of quests they complete and points they earn. Individual prizes include special celebrity VIP meet-and-greets, $1,000 Get Schooled scholarships, concert and sports tickets, laptops, athletic wear and gaming systems. The schools with the most student points will receive support from Internet Essentials and the CPS-affiliated Children's First Fund to enhance their classrooms and school technology.

In January, Internet Essentials provided $100,000 in support for school foundations and community-based organizations, whose participants earned the most points during the inaugural three-month challenge. Over the past 18 months, Internet Essentials has provided more than $200,000 in support throughout the Chicago region.

"Having home Internet access can transform a young person's life, because it opens an entire world to special programs like the Get Schooled, Get Connected Challenge," said Chance the Rapper, a graduate of Jones College Prep and recipient of Chicago's 2014 Outstanding Youth of the Year award for his community service work. "One student and one family at a time, this program will help close the digital divide by engaging and educating students throughout Chicago."

Chance the Rapper was just one of the celebrities who helped motivate and celebrate student success during the hip fall challenge. Actress and singer-songwriter Christina Milian, singer-songwriter B.o.B, MTV's Sway Calloway, White Sox executive vice president Ken Williams, Chicago Bears safety Ryan Mundy and offensive lineman Jordan Mills, Chicago Fire forward Harry Shipp, former Chicago Bears offensive lineman James "Big Cat" Williams and former Chicago Bulls forward Sidney Green also personally engaged with thousands of students during the fall initiative.

"Students need Internet access to succeed in school, and families need it to succeed economically," said Ludacris, who has gone on to become a movie and rap sensation after attending Oak Park-River Forest High School. "I went to high school in this area, so I know first-hand how important it is for students and families to have Internet access at home."

Internet Essentials is a major resource for students participating in the spring challenge. Eligible students and their families may receive affordable Internet service at home for $9.95 per month plus tax, along with an Internet-ready computer for $150 and access to free digital literacy training.

Since launching in August 2011, Internet Essentials has engaged and helped more Chicago families connect to the power of the Internet than any other city in the country. For the fourth year in a row, the Chicago metro area leads the way with more than 50,000 families benefitting, more than 200,000 low-income Chicagoans.

That is nearly 25 percent of the eligible population in Chicago that has signed up.

Overall in Illinois, 60,000 families or 240,000 individuals benefit from Internet Essentials. Nationally, Internet Essentials has connected more than 450,000 low-income families or more than 1.8 million people in just three and a half years. To put that in perspective, 1.8 million equals two-thirds of the population of the entire city of Chicago.

"It is vital for CPS students and families to stay connected beyond school hours to ensure they remain life-long learners," said Dr. Shawn Jackson, CPS Deputy Chief of Teaching and Learning.

In conjunction with Internet Essentials and the Chicago City of Learning, CPS also has launched CPS Connects, which provides students free virtual learning opportunities as well as live activities across Chicago at locations like the Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium and Lincoln Park Zoo. CPS Connects provides students with connected learning environments by linking learning in school, home and community.
About Internet Essentials
Internet Essentials is the nation's largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. It provides low-cost broadband service for $9.95 a month plus tax; the option to purchase an Internet-ready computer for under $150; and multiple options to access free digital literacy training in print, online, and in-person. A household is eligible to participate if it has at least one child eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and is located where Comcast offers Internet service. Families that enroll in the program can continue to enjoy the service as long as one child eligible to participate in the NSLP is living in the household.

For more information about Internet Essentials visit InternetEssentials.com for English and InternetBasico.com for Spanish. Educators or third-parties interested in helping to spread the word can find more information at InternetEssentials.com/partner. Parents looking to enroll in the program can call 1-855-846-8376 or for Spanish 1-855-765-6995.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150310/180914
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150310/180912
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150310/180913

SOURCE Internet Essentials

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Chance The Rapper, Ludacris Surprise Chicago Students With New Internet Essentials Laptops To Kick Off Get Schooled, Get Connected Spring Challenge

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CHICAGO, March 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Chance the Rapper and Ludacris joined Internet Essentials and city and school leaders at Alcott College Prep on Tuesday afternoon to kick off the popular Get Schooled, Get Connected Spring Challenge, which is designed to help thousands of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students prepare for college.

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New Era Cap: Chance the Rapper & the Chicago White Sox

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A weekend of no shootings.

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Buzzing Chicago artist Chance The Rapper (pictured) was instrumental in a social media campaign that led to a quieting of the escalating gun violence in the Windy City for 42 hours straight. Using Twitter to spread a message of hope, Chance partnered with his father in an ambitious mission to combat the rising murder rate in his beloved hometown.
SEE ALSO: Kaylen Woodard: 6-Year-Old Chicago Boy Saves Friend From Abduction [VIDEO] The campaign was largely a secret, and Chance explained the impetus behind the #SaveChicago movement in a series of tweets earlier Tuesday.

"[W]hen i was in LA My pops asked me to help with a project. He was tryin to get Community Org's in CHI to prevent every murder on Memorial Day," tweeted Chance.

Chance The Rapper's tweets related to the event below:

"He had talked to Churches, Schools, Outreach Prog's and Business's, trying to get them to commit to saving every life possible yesterday. The plan was to get these mass numbers of people out on street corners Friday night with posters and banners with the plea "#SAVECHICAGO."

His plan was to get radio stations like @WGCI and @Power92Chicago to say "PUT YOUR GUNS DOWN CHICAGO" every hour on the hour the wk before. all he asked of me was to say something on social media. and so i did ambiguously through tweets that hinted at an album, or a song #MAY23rd.

And even though i was outta town i checked in constantly. come to FIND OUT WE WENT 42 HOURS FROM THURSDAY TO SATURDAY NIGHT W/O ONE SHOOTING.

However, Chance would point out that on Monday, a man was killed and seven others were shot on the actual Memorial Day holiday throughout the city. There isn't any proof that Chance and his father's street-level campaign actually held the violence at bay, but it does give some measure of hope that the city can turn its fortunes around.
Chance posted an article from the Chicago Tribune highlighting the killing and shootings, ending it with a plea saying:

"Read that from top to bottom and then come help us #SaveChicago."

Chance The Rapper's 2013 breakout mixtape, "Acid Rap," catapulted him on to the national stage. He has toured with actor/rapper Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) and has addressed gang violence in Chicago on his last release.
SEE ALSO: NewsOne Minute: Homeless DC Teen Gets Full Ride To Georgetown

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Chicago's Chance The Rapper Helps Stop Gun Violence In City For 42 Hours

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Buzzing Chicago artist Chance The Rapper (pictured) was instrumental in a social media campaign that led to a quieting of the escalating gun violence in the Windy City for 42 hours straight. Using ...

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Chance the Rapper donates $1 million to Chicago Public Schools | CNN

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After a disappointing meeting with Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner last Friday, Chance the Rapper has decided to address Chicago Public Schools' funding deficit himself.

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Chance The Rapper photographed Feb. 11 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. Joe Pugliese

Chance the Rapper is coming to the defense of protesters across the nation.

The Chicago MC took to Twitter on Saturday (May 30) to address protests in Los Angeles, New York, San Jose, Atlanta and Washington, D.C., where citizens are flooding the streets over the death of unarmed black man George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.

"If you hold a pen at a publication, this is the time be carefully intent with your words. Do not demonize the people that are being beat and battered in the streets," Chance wrote. "Damaging property is not violent. But the actions of the state have been. It must be documented justly."

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Earlier this week, a video of Floyd's death surfaced showing Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on the neck of Floyd for eight minutes. Chauvin was later charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of Floyd.

Some of the protests over Floyd's death have resulted in property damage, looting and traffic disruption, while many others have been peaceful.

If you hold a pen at a publication, this is the time be carefully intent with your words. Do not demonize the people that are being beat and battered in the streets. Damaging property is not violent. But the actions of the state have been. It must be documented justly.

- Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) May 30, 2020

One Twitter user challenged Chance's post, replying, "Destruction is literally violence, you can't make up your own definition of violence. There's been violence on both sides, police and the protesters."

Chance thoughtfully responded, noting, "You want it to be good and bad people on both sides but its not that simple. There are people on one side that have weapons, training and military power and the other side that have nothing but but pain and rage. Civilians on the street can not reciprocate the violence imparted."

Chance the Rapper joins a long list of celebrities speaking out after Floyd's death, including Beyonce, Rihanna, Ice Cube, Ariana Grande and others.

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Chance the Rapper Defends George Floyd Protestors: 'Damaging Property Is Not Violent'

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Chance the Rapper is coming to the defense of protesters across the nation. The Chicago MC took to Twitter on Saturday (May 30) to address protests in Los Angeles, New York, San Jose, Atlanta and Washington, D.C., where citizens are flooding the streets over the death of unarmed black man George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.

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How much does it cost to sponsor a coat?
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How much does it cost to sponsor a coat? It costs $125 to sponsor a coat, which covers the cost of materials, wages for our seamstresses, and overhead. The coat is very heavy-duty, long-lasting, and not a "one-season" garment. Can I purchase a coat for myself?

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Fresh off of the release of Surf, Chance The Rapper is getting back to work on a new project in his hometown of Chicago. The proud Windy City native is curating the inaugural Teens in the Park festival in Northerly Island that is scheduled for June 24. The free festival will feature performances from Chance's musical counterpart, Donnie Trumpet, and other Chicago-based artists handpicked by Chance himself.

The festival is open to teenagers aged 13-24 (chaperones are welcome as well) and those interested can register to attend at the Teens in the Park website. Chance made the announcement about his involvement with the festival on Twitter:

I'm organizing Chicago's first T.I.P festival next Wed SO YOU KNOW ITS GON BE FREE

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Chance The Rapper Is Putting Together a Free Festival for Teens - XXL

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Fresh off of the release of Surf, Chance The Rapper is getting back to work on a new project in his hometown of Chicago. The proud Windy City native is curating the inaugural Teens in the Park festival in Northerly Island that is scheduled for June 24.