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Common Kanye

Chicago’s own Kanye West and Common have teamed up for more than creating good music to help their hometown fend off poverty. According to SOHH.com, Common’s foundation has joined with Ye’s DONDA House to create over 20,000 jobs for the youth.

A study revealed that 92% of black teens in Chicago are unemployed, Common hopes that these jobs will provide black youth with enough opportunity to detour them from a life of crime. Common commented “Obviously, one of the biggest reasons our kids are going through what they’re going through is because of poverty. I was doing an event in the neighborhood and there were some kids from Englewood and I said, ‘Man, what do y’all really need? What’s gonna stop this?’ And they were like, ‘We need money. Man, if we could work.’ They want a chance.” (Poppin Lines)

The initiative will also bring a musical festival that will act as a yearly fundraiser to raise money for the jobs and other programs. It will be held on September 20-21 behind the museum of science and industry in Hyde Park. No word yet on line-up for the festival but the organizers is hoping to pull a few big names from the Chi.Last summer, Kanye launched his non-profit organization in his late mother’s honor. The charity is geared toward Chi-town teens with the focus of “implementing arts and literature experiences that transform youth.”

“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,” the rapper said in a press release. (Chicago Defender)

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