Google and Chance the Rapper’s non-profit organization SocialWorks have joined forces to bring computer science education to Chicago Public Schools (CPS). SocialWorks is the non-profit started last year by Chance the Rapper, Justin Cunningham, and Essence Smith—native Chicagoans and CPS alumni—to benefit the Chicago Public Schools arts programs that encouraged and supported them. Celebrating the power of creativity and code, Google.org announced a $1 million grant to SocialWorks during a student event at Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Paideia Academy on Wednesday, Dec. 6th. Part of the grant was also given directly to Chicago Public Schools–the first school district in the country to mandate Computer Science education for every student–through CPS CS4All initiative. Chance the Rapper made a surprise appearance during an assembly with the school’s students that also featured remarks from Cunningham, Alphabet Senior Vice President of Corporate Development David Drummond, and music industry vet and philanthropist Steve Stoute. At the end of the event, students received new backpacks from STATE and gear emblazoned with CODER, forecasting the future possibilities for the students. The assembly was preceded by a Google CS First Roadshow for select 5th grade students, a Google program developed to introduce computer science to students through their interests. If you would like to learn more about SocialWorks, visit www.socialworkschi.org.

Photo Credit Benjamin Lozovsky/BFA.com