Common partnered with the National Park Service this past weekend to encourage people in his hometown of Chicago to visit the country’s historic monuments!
With reps from the NPS as well as the National Park Foundation, the rapper attended the second installment of the organization’s Park Exchange 3-part event series. The event, which took place in Chicago’s Washington Park on June 11, showcases the beauty of visiting parks throughout the U.S.
Common, who served as the event’s host and honorary grand marshall, said to The Huffington Post that he hoped that the event would be encouraging to the citizens of Chicago in the midst of the terrible violence that’s been going on in the city. “As we all know, it’s been a struggle here in Chicago with violence,” he said. “So first and foremost, I just want them to come out and feel good, feel happy and celebrate.”
Through being involved with the Park Exchange program, as well as work done through his own Common Ground Foundation, Common hopes to help bring more peace and love to Chicago. “If I can bring some peace and some hope, and some dreams through the music and through this whole celebration of the national parks, that’s what I want people to leave with,” he said.
It’s great to see Common so involved with his hometown, and working to make it a better place! Sadly, Chicago’s violence has become notorious throughout the country, but efforts like these are giving the city’s residents another peaceful outlet to come together.
Image via The Huffington Post
