New York Knicks’ Derrick Rose Praises Chance The Rapper’s $1 Million Donation to Chicago Public Schools

Chance The Rapper made headlines last week when he donated $1 million to Chicago Public Schools. Public figures such as Michelle Obama and the Seattle Seahawks’ Michael Bennett have praised Chance’s charitable effort. New York Knicks point guard and fellow Chicago native Derrick Rose can be added to that list too as he commended the “No Problem” rapper for being so generous.

"It’s always great to hear, especially with someone that’s in his position, coming from Chicago and knowing what’s going on internally and [being someone] that’s willing to do something about it," Rose told the New York Daily News. "It’s always great to hear when somebody steps up and takes the challenge.”

Chance called his donation a call to action. The Grammy winner hoped his example would inspire major companies to donate to the underfunded CPS. Rose, who has also donated money to the CPS, said Chance’s push has helped bring more awareness to the lack of funding.

"It’s huge," he said. "We’re bringing awareness to it. That’s something that gets overlooked. You look at the school system being shut down in Chicago, the amount of schools that’s being overlooked. And I think it’s because it’s public schools. Kids are having to bus from different neighborhoods to other schools. And you talk about gangs, that’s another thing in Chicago where it’s a problem. It’s a problem. And when them kids get bussed, they have nobody to protect them at the school or before school. And that’s something that they have to deal with. If they were to go and change the inside of the CPS, I think it would help a lot of kids. And that's what I mean by being passionate about it. At least act like they care about it. I think a lot can change."

Chance’s $1 million donation was announced after he had a disappointing meeting with Illinois Governor Bruce Raunor. Chance felt like he was given vague answers that did not address his concerns.

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