Episode 259: A New Chicago School Board
This episode of Sunday Civics, L. Joy opens by highlighting the urgency as election day approaches in just 50 days. With early voting starting soon in several states, she encourages listeners to develop a voting plan tailored to their needs—whether voting by mail, early in-person, or on election day. She emphasizes the importance of researching state-specific voting rules to avoid last-minute issues and voter suppression challenges. She’s also discussing the historic School Board elections in Chicago and brings journalist Samantha Smylie to the front of the class for that conversation. Then L. Joy introduces the inaugural Arts and Activism segment powered by Akila WORKSONGS, April R. Silver brings Grammy-winning artist and candidate in Chicago’s school board elections, Rhymefest to the front of the class.
L. Joy focuses on the upcoming school board elections in Chicago, marking a significant change from the previous system where the mayor appointed board members. Samantha Smiley, a reporter from Chalkbeat Chicago, shares her insights on the election's context. She emphasizes that the move to an elected school board has been driven by calls from activists in Black and brown communities who have long experienced school closures and funding cuts. The episode touches on the struggles faced by families when schools close, disrupting their communities and educational stability.
Their conversation also outlines the complex transition to a partially elected school board, with 10 members being elected and 11 appointed by the mayor, set to phase in further elections in the coming years. Smiley notes the challenges of public engagement and awareness regarding the elections, particularly given the short timeline for candidates to campaign and the confusion over the new voting structure. The upcoming presidential election may influence turnout, but there is uncertainty about how much attention voters will pay to the school board races amidst the larger political landscape.
Arts & Activism Segment
April R. Silver, founder of Akila WORKSONGS, who brings Rhymefest, a prominent hip-hop artist and community activist running for a seat on the Chicago school board to the front of the #SundayCivics class. For the first Arts and Activism segment, April and Rhymefest have the first of a series of inspiring conversations that make the connection between the arts and activism.
Although he is an accomplished musician, April asks Rhymefest to speak about his life and to share why he “give(s) a damn,” what drives him, and how he came to the decision to run for School Board. He shares how writing can be used as a pathway to a better future that we can manifest and that he uses writing to construct a better narrative.
Rhymefest shares insights about his journey, emphasizing the importance of community and mentorship in his life. He discusses the significance of art in shaping narratives and fostering a sense of responsibility toward communal well-being. As he campaigns for the newly elected school board, Rhymefest outlines his vision for Chicago's public schools, advocating for increased access to arts education, health resources, and equitable funding. Check out more on his platform at https://rhymefestforcps.com/
The conversation encourages artists and community members to unite for local political action and reform, underscoring the transformative power of collective efforts in shaping educational policies. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to make informed voting plans and engage with their local elections
Take Civic Action
Action Items: Whether by mail, early voting, or on election day figure out what best fits your schedule, organize your vote squad, oh—and to create a voting plan.
Samantha Smylie
Samantha Smylie is currently the State Education Reporter for Chalkbeat Chicago. Before joining Chalkbeat’s team, she worked at the Hyde Park Herald covering housing, education, retail and development in the Kenwood-Hyde Park neighborhoods on the city’s south-east side. She was a reporter fellow for City Bureau and participated in Propublica’s Data Institute. She had bylines in Block Club Chicago, the Chicago Reader and South Side Weekly.
Che “Rhymefest” Smith
Che “Rhymefest” Smith is an award-winning recording artist, humanitarian, actor, and community advocate. He is the recipient of two Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a Critics’ Choice Award, and a Soul Train Award for his artistry that bridges intersections between Che’s communal, national, and global experiences.