Rhymefest

Driven by his motto, "true power is the power to empower others," Che "Rhymefest" Smith is a writer, artist, political organizer and teacher, shattering negative stereotypes about hip-hop. In 2005, Rhymefest won a Grammy for co-writing the mega-hit "Jesus Walks" with his childhood friend, Kanye West. In 2006, he released his critically acclaimed "Blue Collar" album and shortly after that, became the first rapper to meet in the British House of Commons when David Cameron invited him to discuss hip-hop and policy. A dedicated community leader, social and political organizer, Rhymefest ran for Chicago's City Council in one of Chicago's most violent neighborhoods in 2011. After pushing the incumbent into a run-off and defeating four candidates, he lost by a narrow margin. In 2013, Rhymefest, together with his wife, Donnie Smith, founded Donda's House, a non-profit organization that increases access to the arts. Donda's House has served over 300 youth with free instruction and continues t