BET To Honor Chance The Rapper With Humanitarian Award

By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 6, 2017 6:39PM

Chance the Rapper performing at Magnificent Coloring Day / Photo: Tyler LaRiviere

Chance the Rapper's reputation as Chance the Humanitarian is deeply felt and well understood here in his hometown of Chicago. Later this month, he'll get some high-profile national recognition for his philanthropic and community work. Chance will be awarded the coveted BET Humanitarian Award at this year's BET Awards, on Sunday, June 25.

"Chance has consistently used his musical platform to support a number of impactful educational, social and political initiatives - positively impacting both local and national communities," the station said in a release. Previous winners of the award include Al Sharpton and Muhammad Ali.

Organizers mentioned Chance's work with former President Barack Obama on the My Brother’s Keeper Challenge, to promote racial equity and his $1 million pledge to Chicago Public Schools.

Chance also established an arts and literature fund for Chicago Public Schools. In November, he led a "parade to the polls" following a get-out-the-vote concert. He's also long led a bi-monthly youth open mic series at Harold Washington Library.

The Chatham native also announced on Tuesday a new summer youth program to teach audio mastering.

He thanked BET CEO Debra Lee following the station's announcement. "I won't let you down," he said on Twitter.

In other Chance-y news, he made a surprise appearance at NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series on Monday—which naturally caused everybody at the station to flip.