Common knows a thing or two about wrestling with tough subjects.
In his 25-plus years as a Grammy- and Oscar-winning rapper, actor, advocate, and activist, the Chicago native has gone up against racial injustice, social inequality, and poverty with his powerful words and performances.
But recently, he has taken an active role in another tough battle: education reform.
In 2006, he started the Common Ground Foundation, a nonprofit that, as he puts it, isn’t trying to “preach” to kids, but rather inspire them to lift themselves up.
“I always believed that if we started with the youth then we would be planting the seeds for our future to blossom,” says Common in his organization’s mission statement. “Give the children a sense of hope, self-esteem, and love that will better the world.”
