As a two-time Grammy Award-winning recording hip-hop artist and humanitarian, Che “Rhymefest” Smith has shattered countless stereotypes.

Rhymefest won a Grammy Award as songwriter of the hit “Jesus Walks” by Kanye West. He also co-wrote the song “Glory” alongside John Legend and Common, which received a Grammy Award as well as an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.

In Fall 2023, Rhymefest led seminars for students as a Pritzker fellow at the University of Chicago: Institute of Politics, founded by political consultant David Axelrod.