Donda West
Linda Zabors
Dr. Donda West was a professor at Chicago State University for 27 years and the former Chair of the English Department. She was the founder of the Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing. Donda West was awarded a Fullbright Scholarship, which she served in China. The Dr. Donda West Foundation was established to support underserved youth and encourages teenagers and young adults to stay in school.
Donda ran her house as a gathering place for neighborhood youth to feel welcome and nurtured, and to embrace arts, culture, and education. Che “Rhymefest” Smith described her as the “village mom.” Efforts are underway to continue the tradition she started at her house.
She is author of Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Star (2009). Donda is the mother of Kanye West. She retired from academia to manage West Brands, LLC.
“Long before the world knew his [Kanye’s] name, she was shaping him with the same lessons she gave her students: discipline, curiosity, confidence, and the courage to create.”
Alum
Virginia Union University
Clark Atlanta University
Auburn University
Honorary Dr. Donda West Way
78th Street from South Shore Drive to Coles Avenue
Approved: June 2024
Ward: 07
Alderman: Gregory Mitchell
Neighborhood: South Shore
b. July 12, 1949 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
d. November 10, 2007. Age 58, in Los Angeles, California
Near
Her Home - Donda’s House
Sign Dedication: September 22, 2026
Presentation of Cook County Clerk Resolution honoring Dr. Donda West
Dedication speakers: Garrard McClendon, Professor at Chicago State University; Gregory Mitchell, 7th Ward Alderman; Monica Gordon, Cook County Clerk; Che “Rhymefest” Smith; and Leonard “GLC” Harris.
Donda’s House
Honorary Dr Donda West Way
Updated: September 27, 2026
Source
20249679
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donda_West
WBEZ: Keynote Address by Donda West. https://www.wbez.org/2007/10/19/keynote-address-dr-donda-west-on-raising-kanye
https://www.wbez.org/arts-culture/2026/09/22/donda-west-way-south-shore-street-renaming
https://www.youtube.com/live/xLValxJGA0A?si=Udcn4jpIlXiG2ooD
https://www.youtube.com/live/xLValxJGA0A?si=riU-igFID6F2z5QO
https://www.csu.edu/english/gwenbrooks.htm
https://fulbrightprogram.org/about/
https://crlmag.com/resource-guide/donda-west/
https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/09/22/kanye-west-returns-to-south-shore-for-street-renaming-in-honor-of-his-late-mother/
YouTube. Honorary Chicago playlist. Donda West https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnO1iS8LlpeC4bkmMSltAFPNIYOpg3HCw