Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

There’s still room at Chicago’s table for Ye

suntimes.com · 12d · first reportShare

Growing up on Chicago's South Side in a predominantly Black community, Kanye West understood the sacrifices he and his mom made to survive. Dr. Donda West taught at Chicago State University and often instilled in her only child confidence, pride and belief in how high he could reach. Mary L. Datcher Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times At the very beginning of Chicago’s birth, a dinner table was built, and the meal was prepared by some of the greatest Chicago Black innovators: city founder and settler Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable built the table; publisher and writer Ida B. Wells wove a beautiful tablecloth; Chicago Defender publisher Robert Sengstacke Abbott brought the handcrafted chairs; Illinois Black Panther Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton Sr. brought fearlessness and civil rights leader Rev. Jesse L. Jackson kept hope alive for many future diners. This table symbolized Black pride and became a cornerstone of Chicago, where writers, artists, faith leaders, grassroots organizers and political leade