# Donda West Way: Chicago street renamed for 'village mom' > Chicago names street after late hip-hop legend’s mother, Dr. Donda West. - Title: Donda West Way: Chicago street renamed for 'village mom' - Summary: Chicago names street after late hip-hop legend’s mother, Dr. Donda West. Chicago renames South Shore street Donda West Way to honor Dr. Donda West, mother of… - Keywords: donda west, kanye west, south shore, chicago, village mom, fulbright scholar, chicago public schools, seahawks, yeezy, hip hop, street renaming, chicago state university - Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/arts-and-culture/2026/09/22/donda-west-way-south-shore-street-renaming - Published: 2026-09-23T01:58:00+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: donda west, kanye west, south shore, chicago, village mom, fulbright scholar, chicago public schools, seahawks, yeezy, hip hop, street renaming, chicago state university ## Donda West Way Chicago renames South Shore street to honor Dr. Donda West, mother of hip-hop artist Kanye West. > A beloved professor, businesswoman and Fulbright scholar, Donda West is known in the city as more than the mother of hip-hop artist Ye, also known as Kanye West ## Street naming ceremony Chicago Public Schools Board member Che "Rhymefest" Smith and Kanye West attend ceremony at South Shore street intersection. > This is not just a story about Donda West’s son, this is really a story about a woman who raised a community of boys. ## Donda West’s legacy Donda West mentored hip-hop artists, taught them to write lyrics, and valued rap as respectable literature. > She would ask us, if you ever got famous or popular or successful, and you’re not telling the truth, can you live with the caricature that you’re creating? ## Family and friends Warren "Really Doe" Trotter and Don "Don C" Crawley recall Donda West’s support for Kanye’s music career. > One night, Kanye’s car wouldn’t start, and his mother, i don’t know how many mothers would do this, she got out of bed at like 4 in the morning, drove downtown to pick me and ye up from us being … stranded, trying to talk to girls. ## Business acumen Donda West founded West Brands LLC and connected Kanye with Chicago-based producer No I.D. > Ms. West is the reason Ye got on, listing the connections she made with chicago-based record producer no i.d. and serving as the ceo of her son’s early business enterprises, west brands llc. ## Real estate influence Donda West taught Kanye and friends to manage real estate properties and buy his first car. > When ye first got his driver’s license, we used to go by all her properties to pick up rent money. ## Community impact Donda West’s influence inspired Kanye’s song 'All Falls Down' and his legacy as a 'village mom'. > We’re all self-conscious, i’m just the first to admit it, those things come from the teachings of dr. donda west. ## Street sign dedication Donda West Way signs appear at two intersections on South Shore Drive between 78th Street and Coles Avenue. > She always taught that your choices could either come with a consequence, or it could come with a reward. ## Kanye’s tribute Kanye West and childhood friends reminisce at Donda West’s childhood home after street naming. > I love my biological mama, and i’m so proud to have a village mom like dr. donda west. ## Legacy of support Donda West’s mentees say her teachings shaped Kanye’s music and career choices. > She said, no, kanye, i’m very proud of you, you just sold a beat to a major artist, and you got things going for yourself. ## Community recognition Donda West is recognized as a Chicago institution who raised a community of boys and educated students. > We were raised by a black woman that raised a community of boys, that educated a community of students. ## Street naming significance Donda West Way honors her role as a 'village mom' who supported Chicago’s hip-hop culture. > You can win grammys, you can win oscars, but the most important award you can get is when community recognizes [you]. ## Future impact Donda West’s legacy continues through Kanye’s music and his efforts to honor her values. > I know how he approaches those situations is like, man, let me create this in a manner that my mom would be appreciative of her granddaughter doing this. ## What happens next Donda West Way becomes a symbol of Chicago’s hip-hop culture and community support. > This day really makes donda west a chicago institution. ## Key takeaway Chicago renames South Shore street Donda West Way to honor Dr. Donda West, mother of Kanye West, who raised a community of boys and mentored hip-hop artists.