Chance the Rapper's organization SocialWorks holds a monthly OpenMike night for Chicago students to network and freely express themselves artistically. The organization's website says, "This event, housed in the Pritzker Auditorium, showcases randomly selected students to present a 3-minute piece of their choice. Afterwards, we bring our friends to perform, teach, and inspire."
And by friends, they mean Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) who did a surprise performance of his thought-provoking song, "This Is America" on Monday night. Let's just say, the students' reaction was absolutely priceless. See for yourself.
thank you @donaldglover for coming to our 30th @socialworks_chi @OpenMikeChicago !!! thank you @chancetherapper for leveraging your celebrity for the youth of Chicago in moments like these. thank you @chipublib @YOUmediaChicago !!! pic.twitter.com/sCMyPVRyF0
— BLACK POWER ranger (@MalcolmLondon) June 12, 2018
It was the 30th Open Mike night for SocialWorks, an organization that seeks to empower youth through through the arts, education, and civic engagement. The event was named after Chance's late mentor Mike Hawkins, who was a Chicago poet and community activist.