When Kanye West co-founded the organization Donda’s House, his intention was to honor his later mother, Dr. Donda West, and give back to his hometown of Chicago in a big way. With his latest donation of $133,000, the rapper known as “World Wide West” continues to make good on his intention.
West used monies earned from his recent Louis Vuitton Foundation shows in Paris to make his latest donation to Donda’s House. Executive Director Donnie Smith says the funds will go a long way towards bringing in new staff that will continue the group’s mission.
“Kanye’s generosity is greatly appreciated and will improve our capacity with new staff as we deliver the high-quality arts programming that our participants deserve,” Smith says.
Smith’s husband, Grammy award winning rapper and frequent collaborator of West’s, Rhymefest, who also serves as the creative director of the organization, chimed in on the difference West’s donation will make.
“I really cannot thank Kanye enough for this incredible contribution,” Rhymefest says. “His leadership has enabled Donda’s House to grow quickly and impact the lives of over 160 of Chicago’s young people already in our short history. This is a great honor and a true tribute to his mother’s legacy, who did so much for young artists.”
Launched in 2013, Donda’s House provides access to high quality arts instruction to youth through its various programs. To date, the foundation has served almost 200 artists between the ages of 14 – 24 years old in Chicago.
For more information on Donda’s House please visit www.dondashouseinc.org
