Chance The Rapper shocked 5th graders at Chicago’s Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Paideia Academy when the Grammy winner popped up at the school on Wednesday. Google representatives were already at the location as part of Computer Science Education Week, and the company had another big surprise.
David Drummond, Alphabet Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, announced that Google.org is donating $1.5 million to help bring computer science education to the city’s students. One million dollars will go to Chance’s SocialWorks non-profit organization and $500,000 will go to Chicago Public Schools’ CS4All Initiative.
“We’re honored to support SocialWorks’ mission to help underrepresented students in Chicago reach their full potential, as well as Chicago Public Schools’ efforts to turn computer science into a pathway for creative expression,” states Justin Steele, Google.org Principal. “There’s so much talent and creativity in the communities that these schools serve – and Chance The Rapper embodies what can happen when that creativity is unleashed. With exposure to computer science, students can use technology to turn their creative passions into something bigger.”
Chance The Rapper also took part in a coding activity while at Powell. Besides the Coloring Book creator, music industry veteran Steve Stoute and SocialWorks co-founder Justin Cunningham were also present at the school.
“Our grant with Google.org helps SocialWorks provide programming that sheds light on another pathway to success for young Chicagoans. While every student doesn’t need to become a computer scientist, understanding the basics empowers them to understand the world they live in,” says Cunningham. “The opportunity to help kids code to share their music, artwork, and distinct point of view is at the core of our mission and an experience we look forward to providing in classrooms across the city.”
Google.org’s $1.5 million grant will help teachers implement computer science and arts curriculum in their classrooms. The donation builds on $40 million in contributions from the company’s philanthropic efforts that provide opportunities for students underrepresented in computer science to explore the field.
Check out Chance the Rapper’s “SocialWorks Summit Vol. 1” video below.
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