Rapper/actor/writer Common has
partnered with Donda’s House, Inc., Andrea L. Zopp, president and CEO of the
Chicago Urban League and rapper/writer Che “Rhyme fest” Smith to announce the
Chicago Youth Jobs Collaborative. The movement is a youth-centered initiative
that focuses on securing year-round employment opportunities for youth ages 16
to 24.
“With the joining of these organizations, we hope to
continue the efforts of so many other organizations and the City of Chicago to
create opportunities throughout the year for our youth and challenge our city
to do even more on the ground. Our efforts will culminate in a musical
celebration every year that will include resources offered to Chicago kids,
directly related to placing them with an opportunity that can provide them hope
and stability,” said Common during a press
conference held at the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art.
Launching in the fall of 2014,
The Chicago Youth Jobs Collaborative aims to provide employment opportunities
to a minimum of 1,000 youth with intent to increase job availability by one
thousand per year over the next four years. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel also
announced on Wednesday that the partnership would offer 22,000 youth jobs this
summer.
In a January report from FOX
news, figures indicate that 92% of African American male teenagers in Chicago
are unemployed. Furthermore, a study released by the Urban League reported a
17% nationwide employment rate for black males; 12% in Illinois; and only 8% in
Chicago. The Chicago Youth Jobs Collaborative project will work with public,
private, and non-profit sectors to advocate resources and support services to
address youth-employment needs.
In addition to providing
employment opportunities, the project will also launch the AAHH! Music Festival
held September 20-21, 2014 at 6300 S. Hayes Drive. Day one will feature an
all-star lineup from talents across the country, and day two will allow youth a
chance to showcase their talents and juxtapose the city’s’ “Chi-raq” stereotypes. Proceeds from the festival will support the
Common Ground Foundation, Donda’s House Inc., Arts Education in Chicago
Schools, and Year-Round Jobs initiatives. While a Common and Kanye musical
collaboration would have been nice, the Chicago Youth Jobs Collaboration
project is just as incredible.
Morganne Nikole
Original Article Published at Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/1sAY1xG
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