The Kanye West Foundation (KWF), founded in 2007 by the late Dr. Donda West, was established to help combat the severe dropout problem plaguing America’s communities. It is through the collaboration of community and corporate partnerships that the 2nd “Stay in School” Benefit Concert, taking place at the historic Chicago Theatre on Thursday, June 11th, was born. This is the first major event for the Kanye West Foundation since the 2007 passing of its founder Dr. Donda West, the mother of Kanye West. It is also the first concert Kanye has performed in the city of Chicago in over a year. The concert will be taped by Fuse, the national music network, and will air later this summer.
Benefit concert tickets are on sale now. Tickets start at $49.50 to $500 for the VIP Reception and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.
Highland Park High School sophomore, David Abrams, conceived the event concept as he listened to a story on NPR about a Chicago Public School (CPS) student who was failing out of school. As an incentive to stay in school, the student’s mother offered two tickets to a concert. David then turned to his mom and said “We should do that – let’s get kids to SHOW up to school, get their grades up and put on a free concert for them.” David formed S.H.O.W (Students Helping Our World), which is run by a group of Highland Park teens and supported by parents like Wendy Abrams, an environmental activist and founder of Cool Globes. S.H.O.W formed partnerships with CPS, the City of Chicago, former quarterback of the Chicago Bears Kyle Orton, and ultimately the Kanye West Foundation.
“I have always had the desire to help people and make the world a better place. I believe that youth are the music for creating a world filled with harmony. To create such a world, however, we must all do our part,” says Mr. West who waived his fees for the events on June 11th. Joseph Collins, CEO of the Kanye West Foundation states, “This cause is directly in line with the mission of the KWF. We see this event as a launching pad and long-term effort to help students in school.” He continues, “Immediately upon learning about David Abrams and S.H.O.W, we knew this was a good match. The fact that a young person chose to lead this effort and challenge his peers to do better in school is amazing and exactly what Dr. West envisioned when she and Kanye created this foundation. I believe these efforts directly support the vision Dr. West had for the organization and for America’s children. I see this concert as the seed that will allow us to ‘fulfill a mother’s dream.’”
“I want to thank the Kanye West Foundation for supporting the Chicago Public Schools and encouraging our students to stay in school and graduate,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley. “Education is the key to our children’s future and by working together we can continue the progress we’ve made by producing graduates who are prepared for jobs and the global economy.”
S.H.O.W will offer free tickets to students who demonstrate marked improvements in attendance and/or grades in the last quarter of the current school year. Approximately 3,000 inner city and Chicago area students will have the opportunity to meet Kanye West and experience an intimate behind-the-scenes snapshot of how he prepares for a concert.
Airing the concert later this summer, “Fuse is thrilled to provide a national television platform to help raise awareness of the important work The Kanye West Foundation and S.H.O.W are doing to keep students in school,” said Dave Weier, VP of music programming and talent relations. “To capture an event that is the culmination of the power of music and the hard work and dedication of students is really exciting for us.”
Let us know what YOU want to see on the site. CLICK HERE to fill out a survey that will automatically enter you in for the chance to win a 1-year KanyeUniverseCity Fan Club membership and a Kanye prize pack! We look forward to hearing from you.
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Kanye's VH1 Storytellers episode aired over the weekend, and you might have seens some lucky KanyeUniverseCity Fan Club members in the crowd! We were able to give away over 80 tickets to the show, take a look at what the experience was like for the winners who were there:
Just wanted to LET you know I had a FANTASTIC time. It was more than what I expected!!! Me and my guest sat in the front right side of the stage near the band. I was able to touch Kanye when he came out to start the show. The lighting was perfect. The stage was so dope!! Kanye is such a wonderful performer. He was a little sick but, he tore the roof off that place!!! I was also, able to get his towel!!!!! He gave it to me that was like the most exciting part for me because we actually interacted with each other. My favorite song "SAY U WILL" is his favorite song off the album so it was great knowing we shared that in common. Kanye is the best musician to me.... His gear was on point as expected. His band was great as well!!! This will be the best Storytellers from VH1 EEEVVVVVVVVEEERRRRRRRRR!!!!!!
He is such a great motivation!
Kanye's BIGGEST FAN!
Jackie racked up the most impressions and helped spread the word about Kanye and 808's and Heartbreak to earn her place as Kanye's top friend!
Thanks to everyone who participated. Stay tuned for more great contests from KanyeUniverseCity.com!
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Congrats to Evan W. of Gardena, CA, the KanyeUniverseCity Fan Club winner of a pair of GRAMMY tickets an a GRAMMY prize pack! Alex W. of Atlanta, GA also picked up a GRAMMY prize pack!
Thanks to everyone who entered, and keep an eye out for upcoming contests from KanyeUniverseCity.com.
Don't forget to tune in to the 51st Annual GRAMMY® Awards on CBS at 8PM EST on February 8. Kanye is up for SIX AWARDS!
Evan W. picks up:
- 2 tickets to the 51st Annual GRAMMY® Awards on February 8, 2009 (airfare and travel not included)
- A copy of "And The GRAMMY Goes To... The Official Story of Music's Most Coveted Award"
- A copy of the "2009 GRAMMY Nominees" CD
- A copy of "808s and Heartbreak"
Alex W. will receive:
- A copy of "And The GRAMMY Goes To... The Official Story of Music's Most Coveted Award"
- A copy of the "2009 GRAMMY Nominees" CD
- A copy of "808s and Heartbreak"
KanyeUniverseCity.com wants to congratulate Kanye on his Grammy nominations, including:
The 51st Annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 8, 2009 and will be broadcasted on CBS airing at 8PM EST. Check out the whole 51st Annual Grammy Awards Nomination List HERE.
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Congratulations to our contest winner, kaccess! Thanks for all the hard work:
We'd also like to recognize our runner-up, Adam, for all his creative effort. It was a really tough choice making the final decision:
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The new album is in stores now...and you can get a KanyeUniverseCity membership at a great discount. CLICK HERE to join Kanye's official fan club AND order 808s and Heartbreak together for just $34.99.
If you just want to pick up the new album without the KanyeUniverseCity membership, you can still GRAB IT HERE!
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In addition to taking home both awards, Kanye stole the night with his performance of "Heartless". Thanks to all the fans that voted to make it possible!
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KanyeUniverseCity wanted to remind you (as if you hadn't already heard) that Kanye's new album, 808's and Heartbreak, hits stores next Monday, November 24th!
You can stream the album now though, but heading over to Kanye's blog!
You can order the album from Kanye HERE!
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You can now comment on the updated TOUR PAGE of KanyeUniverseCity.com! Be on the lookout for more dates coming from Kanye soon!
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Your official Team Ye team leaders are....
Chicago - Justin Morgan
Boston - Robert Schepis
Los Angeles - Jenn Shai
Houston - Jack Rudder
New York - Brandon Mercado
Philly - Taniha Brokenbrorough
DC - Corey Matthews
San Francisco - Erika Estrada
Detroit - Tyler j. Ruth
Florida - Sheively Buisson
Minneapolis - Sean Paul Miller
Memphis - Shariee Jones
Miami - Xavier Gutierrez
London - Lauren Cheney
Toronto - Sarawanan Ravindran
Log in to the street team to help promote the new album! Not a member? Registration only takes a few seconds. Click HERE to sign up for the team.
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