Donda’s House, Inc. was featured in the first World Star Hip-Hop documentary as a solution to Chicago violence. The documentary was nationally received and garnered over two million views in two weeks. Founded by Chicagoans Kanye West and Rhymefest, the nonprofit’s goal is to create a positive creative environment congruent to the one they experienced in the 1990s. The thought behind this organization is creativity and opportunity thwarts criminal activity.
“As the Donda’s House family expands, our communities will heal,” said Che “Rhymefest” Smith, Creative Director and Creative Writing Instructor.
Donda’s House, Inc. is housed at The ARK of St. Sabina and is currently accepting applications for the spring 2014 cohort of their Got Bars campaign. Got Bars is the Donda’s House signature music/lyric composition and performance program. The participants are selected through an application and audition process. The curriculum is based on the teaching philosophy and pedagogy of the late Dr. Donda West, Kanye West’s mother, with a focus on collaborative and experiential learning.
The cohort meets for 12 weeks and takes the following classes three times per week:
1. Creative Writing
2. Health and Wellness
3. Studio Recording