As part of our summer community program, we reclaim five Englewood parks to promote peace. K.W.O.E. was a featured performer at our events and brought his energetic music and message to inspire participants to stop the violence in our community. His songs resonated with attendees of all ages and his uplifting message spread hope and peace. K.W.O.E. was an important part of our summer program and we were thrilled to have him participate in our community.

- Asiaha ButlerCo-Founder and President, R.A.G.E. Resident Association of Greater Engelwood

The children of Chicago face a myriad of seemingly insurmountable odds. Accordingly, their trust level is low. K.W.O.E. has been forged in the same fires and brings a level of genuineness and inspiration that these children need to succeed. Few people that escape the West Side ever come back to help. K.W.O.E. is one of those rare people who is dedicated to helping his community.

- Senator Patricia Van Pelt, Ph.D.State Senator Illinois 5th District

K.W.O.E and his message resonate deeply with the young people in our Safe Cities program. These young people have never before met someone who looks like them and speaks their language, but lives downtown and is a successful legitimate businessman. Because of this, K.W.O.E. is able to hold their attention in a unique, profound way. When the kids hear K.W.O.E.’s personal story, they think, “I can make it out too.” K.W.O.E. inspires them to break the cycle of violence by following in his footsteps. K.W.O.E.’s message challenges these young people to see the big picture: their choices are not just about a summer job, they are about their whole life and the decisions they make each day. We are grateful to have K.W.O.E. speak with our kids and help them move forward in a positive direction.

- Cheryl PhillipsExecutive Director, Safe Cities Inc.

Thank you for your interest in the Our House program. KWOE has attended several group sessions with our residents and each time they are inspired by his message. One of our residents, in particular, was inspired to commit to finishing his high school education. After meeting with KWOE and hearing his story of getting his GED, our resident focused on getting his full credits for that semester and was able to achieve that goal. We look forward to more interactions with KWOE.

- Melissa Rooth L.P.C, A.M.F.TProgram Manager, Connections for the Homeless/Our House

On behalf of the staff at Communities in Schools of Chicago, thank you for partnering with us for the 106 Tenacity Awards. Your spirit truly emobides tenacity and truly made the third annual Tenacity Awards special. Since we met when working on the videos for the 106 winners, you have been a joy partner for me and for this event. Your story is an inspiration and your honesty during our reception showed everyone why. Your magic with one of the winners, Noah, was especially appreciated by everyone. And the surprise gift bags with iPads and merchandise was above and beyond — a super-special reward for our students. It is my hope that we continue to work together on the Tenacity Awards in new ways in the future. And of course, continue to partner together with our schools so you can more broadly share your mesage of hope, persistence, and tenacity!

- Jane MentzingerExecutive Director, Communities In Schools

I Grow Chicago was grateful to have KWOE visit our Peace House on July 15 and share his inspirational story to our youth. I Grow Chicago is a community-based organization in Englewood committed to providing a safe, inter-generational have to children and at-risk community members. KWOE has been incredibly supportive of our mission. KWOE spent the entire day with our young students in our Summer of Promise camp, as well as our young men. By speaking to our youth, he showed them that it is possible to move forward from negative aspects of the past and to lead a positive life. “He was relating to the kid and showing them the potential that they have,” said our mentor for at-risk youth, David Hester. “Believe in yourself, and anything can happen. That’s how he was talking to me,” Director of Mentoring Shango added. “I just think he is a great dude. He’s a trendsetter, showing a lot of courage. A lot of people wouldn’t tell you that they didn’t get their GED.” KWOE came back to the Peace House for our end-of-summer celebration, and we look forward to having him participate again in our fall programming. He has been incredibly impactful to our community, and we are so happy he has decided to give back to us. “I really respect KWOE,” one of our mentees said, “I like people who make positive music, and it’s good to have different role models come in and speak to us. He’s positive. It’s a turn away from the norm. His story of his life, the fact that he turned his life around, I feel like he should continue doing what he’s doing.” The KWOE Hope Foundation has made these and future events with KWOE possible. I Grow Chicago is thrilled to have this partnership, as it allows us to better engage and inspire our youth.

- Robbin CarrollPresident and Founder, I Grow Chicago

Thank you, KWOE and the KWOE Hope Foundation! I look forward to many more opportunities to serve the people of Chicago with you! Thank you for inspiring the O’Shaughnessy students during your speech at the Loyola Academy this summer. Your message of perseverance, passion, and hope resonated with our students, and they were still speaking about your visit weeks after it had passed. The students really appreciated your openness and honesty in talking about the challenges you have faced and the ways in which you overcame them all to be the successful man that you are today. Furthermore, your ability to speak about living and thriving in different environments–both city and suburbs–connected with many of our students who encounter similar situations in their own lives. We are thankful that you seek to connect with students on a deeper level and have pledged to return to visit our students in the fall. They will greatly benefit from your positive presence, guidance and support as they move forward in their hight school careers. It was a pleasure to meet, listen and learn from K.W.OE. during his time at Loyola Academy in the summer, and we are very thankful for the wonderful message that he brings to students in the Chicagoland area.

- Jeff DeesSummer School Manager, O’Shaughnessy Program – Loyola Academy

I can’t speak highly enough of KWOE and the KWOE Hope Foundation. Over the past year, KWOE has generously donated his time and talents to facilitate programs at the Richard M. Daley branch of the Chicago Public library. From emceeing our all ages West Humboldt Park’s Got Talent competition to leading a discussion on the history and meaning of hip hop for adults and teens, KWOE has brought his warmth, positive energy, and inspiring message to every interaction he has had with staff and patrons. Our patrons ask frequently when he’ll return, and they proudly wear hats and t-shirts bearing KWOE’s name.

- Keely M. BrennanAdult Services Librarian, Chicago Public Library