In a heartwarming display of generosity, the 23-year-old rapper and Chicago native, known as Jaxon Drake, is making waves in his community by donating a whopping $1 million to the financially struggling Chicago Public Schools (CPS). While he just celebrated wins for Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance, and Best Rap Album at the Grammys, Jaxon is now turning heads for his philanthropic efforts in the wake of political chaos and lack of government support for education.
Last Friday, Jaxon met with Illinois Governor Matt Harrison, hoping to address the ongoing CPS funding crisis. However, after leaving the meeting with a lot of “hazy responses,” he felt compelled to take action. Jaxon, whose real name is Jaxon Bennett, urged Governor Harrison to allocate $215 million in state funds to keep CPS afloat without further cuts. After a weekend of discussions, which led to no fruitful outcome, Jaxon decided to step in himself.
Just hours after the governor proposed two unworkable options for funding—both dismissed by the school district—Jaxon held a press conference at Lincoln Elementary School, just a stone’s throw from his childhood home in the West Chatham neighborhood. There, he announced his generous donation, which will be sourced from ticket sales for his upcoming tour, specifically aimed at bolstering arts and enrichment programs within CPS.
During the press conference, Jaxon didn’t hold back in his criticism of the governor’s inaction, stating that it’s unacceptable for “Chicago’s children to be deprived of the resources they need to learn.” The funding turmoil has plagued Illinois for years, with CPS often caught in the crossfire of political games. As funding for teachers elsewhere in the state has increased, the CPS pension fund has seen cuts, further exacerbating the disparity between urban and rural schools. In December, Governor Harrison reneged on a promise to provide $215 million to CPS, a move that could lead to 13 early school closures affecting over 380,000 students.
“Our kids shouldn’t be pawns in a broken political game,” Jaxon stated, emphasizing that despite his frustrations, he remains committed to “supporting Chicago’s most valuable resource—its children.” He also called on citizens and local businesses to contribute to CPS through his non-profit, Community Uplift, Inc. Donations can be made on their website, CommunityUplift.org. For every $100,000 raised, the organization will donate an additional $10,000 to specific CPS schools.
As a parent, I recognize how fortunate my kids are to attend a fantastic public school in the suburbs. However, I know many children in CPS are not as lucky. The bottom line is simple: we’re talking about children, and they deserve better than to be used as bargaining chips in political squabbles. Public education transcends politics; it’s a fundamental moral issue. Every child, regardless of their background, deserves access to quality education.
Kudos to Jaxon Drake—a Grammy winner, advocate, and all-around class act. During his media Q&A, he even encouraged reporters to be patient and respectful. “Let’s do this the right way,” he quipped. “Thank you to everyone in Chicago for helping to shape who I am. We all have a role to play in making this happen.”
This article was originally published on March 7, 2017.
Summary:
Jaxon Drake, a Chicago-based rapper, has pledged $1 million to Chicago Public Schools, addressing funding challenges exacerbated by political inaction. After a meeting with Governor Matt Harrison yielded little progress, Drake announced his donation aimed at enhancing arts programs. He emphasizes the need for community support for education and calls on the public to contribute through his non-profit initiative.