Six-time Grammy Award winning rapper Kanye West will host his foundation’s inaugural benefit concert in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois on August 24.
West will host a concert and VIP event to raise money for the Kanye West Foundation, with funds earmarked to establish the Loop Dreams Teacher Training Institute in Chicago in 2008.
The Loop Dreams Teacher Training Institute will provide training to teachers in the ailing Chicago Public School system, who are interested in incorporating Hip-Hop music into their curriculums.
“Kanye is committed to excellence through education and established ‘Loop Dreams’ as the first and signature initiative of his foundation,” said his mother, Dr. Donda West, board chair.
The benefit concert will take place at the House of Blues in Chicago, while a VIP reception and silent auction of Kanye West’s memorabilia will take place in the adjacent Hotel Sax, one of the events sponsors.
During the evening, West will pay tribute to pioneering African-American investor John Rogers, Founder and CEO of the billion-dollar Ariel Capital Management company.
Fans attending the events will be the first to hear music from the rapper’s upcoming album Graduation.
West will also give an exclusive live performance featuring specials guests, as well as a first-look at elements of his upcoming Glow In the Dark Tour.
The rapper will also grant two hundred local youth from varied backgrounds access to a “Pre-Show Sound Check Bash,” which will allow them to witness the hard work and preparation West performs before each show.
Concert proceeds will benefit the Kanye West Foundation and the Kanye West Scholarship Fund at Chicago State University.