by Erick Johnson – The Chicago Crusader
It began in South Shore as a typical street-renaming dedication.
The honoree was the late Dr. Donda West, educator and mother of rapper Kanye West. An honorary street sign bearing her name was to be placed that day. Speeches were made. Selfies were taken.
As Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon read a proclamation, a large black SUV pulled up. Out stepped Kanye, turning the ceremony into a star-studded event that included fellow rappers Rhymefest and Chicago-born Leonard “GLC” Harris.
The popular “House Music Truck,” featuring Chicago’s own Farley Jackmaster Funk of the legendary Hot Mix 5 DJ crew, was positioned across the street.
Kanye, a global icon and rapper, visited his hometown of Chicago this week for the street-renaming ceremony honoring his late mother, Donda West, who lived in South Shore.
A large police presence stood near 78th Street and South Shore Drive, where dozens of onlookers celebrated the occasion. The location is less than a block from where Kanye grew up in a two-story house.
Kanye stood silent throughout the ceremony. Alderman Greg Mitchell was about to pull a cord to reveal the street sign, but when Mitchell said, “As the alderman of the 7th Ward, it is my privilege to unveil and honor …” Kanye interrupted and told Mitchell he wanted to unveil the sign himself.
“OK,” Mitchell said. “It is her son Ye’s privilege … .”
Laughter erupted in the crowd before Mitchell continued, “… to unveil the honorary street sign for Donda West.”
After a brief countdown, West pulled the cord and the cover slid off a brown honorary street sign emblazoned with the words “Dr. Donda West Way.”
Born in Oklahoma City, Dr. West earned a bachelor’s degree in English at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. She received a master’s degree at Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University) in Atlanta, Georgia, and a doctorate in English Education at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama.
She served as a professor at Chicago State University for 24 years. She was chair of the English Department and founded the Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing. She later stepped away from education to work as Kanye’s manager.
Dr. West died at age 58 on November 10, 2007, after undergoing plastic surgery. Her death left Kanye devastated. In 2021, he released his album “Donda,” which included samples of her voice.
Installed by Chicago’s Department of Transportation, honorary street signs recognize important individuals who have died after making significant contributions to the city. Residents nominate candidates to their alderman, who must then have the City Council approve an ordinance.
There are more than 2,000 honorary street signs in Chicago.
Dr. Garrard McClendon, a professor at Chicago State University, nominated Dr. West for the honorary street renaming. “As chair of the Department of English at Chicago State, she played a pivotal role in shaping the academic landscape of the institution. At Chi State, Donda’s contributions were transformative,” McClendon said.
“Her tireless efforts in establishing the Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing stand as a testament and legacy to her unwavering dedication to celebrating African American voices and nourishing emerging literary talent.”
Alderman Mitchell said, “Dr. Donda West was not only a scholar, she was a builder of people, a cultivator of talent, and a champion for Black creativity and intellectual excellence. For nearly three decades at Chicago State University, Dr. West shaped minds and opened doors.”
Che “Rhymefest” Smith said, “There are giants walking among us at all times. What I couldn’t get at school, I could get at Donda’s house. What I couldn’t get at home, sometimes I could get at Donda’s house.”
