* From the May 21st edition of the National Black Chamber of Commerce’s newsletter…
There is no elected official in our nation who is showing the commitment of Governor Bruce Rauner, Governor, State of Illinois. His recent Executive Order [to establish parity for African-American contractors] should be used as an example for all mayors, county executives and governors throughout our nation. We, the federation of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, should show our appreciation and recognize his wisdom. We are preparing a thank you letter and, hereby, ask for all NBCC chapters and other business associations to join in.
That item was forwarded to this publication the day that Gov. Rauner took heat for replying “Exactly” when asked “Hold on, Governor. You said you did more than any other governor for black folks?”
* So, today’s event could dredge that up all over again. From the governor’s public schedule…
What: Gov. Rauner receives Arthur A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award, addresses the National Black Chamber of Commerce 26th Annual Conference
Where: U.S. Senate Hart Office Building, Room SD-106, 120 Constitution Ave. NE, Washington, D.C.
Date: Thursday, July 19, 2018
Time: 10:45 a.m. CDT/11:45 a.m. EDT
Note: No additional media availability. Media should enter building on Constitution Avenue.
…Adding… Press release excerpt…
The National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) today gave its prestigious Arthur A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award to Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner. The award is conferred on leaders who, in NBCC’s estimation, have demonstrated an undeniable commitment to diversity in the procurement sector.
The award was presented by Larry Ivory, a previous Fletcher Award winner and the CEO of the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce.
“In this decade, there has been no elected official who has done more for the development of Black-owned businesses than Gov. Bruce Rauner,” said Harry Alford, NBCC co-founder and CEO.
“His example is one for all elected officials to emulate,” added NBCC co-founder Kay DeBow. “His sheltered markets program and his recent executive order addressing procurement fairness for Black-owned businesses in Illinois demonstrate his dedication to diversity and the role that business plays in achieving enterprise and, ultimately, social objectives.”
* Meanwhile, you have probably seen the story this morning about how Chance the Rapper bought the assets of the defunct Chicagoist…
On Wednesday night, fans of Chance the Rapper were treated to a surprise release of four new singles.
The songs, available on all streaming platforms, include “Work Out,” “Wala Cam,” “65th and Ingleside” and “I Might Need Security.”
But within the NSFW lyrics of “I Might Need Security,” there was an even bigger surprise waiting to be discovered.
“I bought the Chicagoist/just to run you racist b—-es [rhymes with witches] out of business.”
* The relevant lyrics…
I don’t get no paper I gotta sign at the bottom
Still in my bag like the fries at the bottom
And I can’t do nothing right, they gon’ always be at me
I missed a Crain’s interview, they tried leaking my addy
I donate to the schools next, they call me a deadbeat daddy
But Sun-Times get in that Rauner business
I got a hit-list so long I don’t know how to finish
I bought the Chicagoist just to run you racist [rhymes with witches] out of business
Speaking of racist, [rhymes with buck] your micro aggressions
I’ll make you fix your words like a typo suggestion
Pat me on the back too hard and Pat’ll ask for your job
And in unrelated news, someone’ll beat your [rhymes with sass] at your job
I’m the real deal
Chance and Rauner do not have a great history.
* Text from a pal…
I think that he’s saying that the Chicago newspapers are going after him so he bought the Chicagoist. He’s telling the Sun-Times to focus on Rauner instead of him I think.
…Adding… Word is that Chance may believe that Rauner or his people planted an unfavorable Sun-Times story about his child support payments after the two men had their public spat.
* More lyrics…
And Rahm you done I’m expectin’ resignation
An open investigation on all of these paid vacations for murderers
- Ole General - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 10:55 am:
Rich,
Can you include a beat? Difficult to understand acapella.
- Chris Widger - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 10:58 am:
The fact that Chance (largely universally beloved, gets tons of positive press) is concerned about haters in the media tells you all you need to know about that trope.
- The Captain - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 10:58 am:
Rauner has been drinking chocolate milk his whole life so this checks out.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 10:59 am:
The most important thing to take away from this is when Chance decided to make Rauner a focal issue, it blew up on social media in a way that even if the Superstars and BTIA(tm) combined forces, they couldn’t stop the social media impact Chance had or could have with this here too.
- PJ - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 11:04 am:
Time for Bruce to clap back with a single of his own!
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 11:07 am:
I hear Rauner is a shoe-in for the Montgomery Burns Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence.
It’s as deserved as this award from the National Black Chamber of Commerce and almost as prestigious.
- City Zen - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 11:10 am:
I hope the good folks at Block Club Chicago accounted for the resurrection of Chicagoist in their business case.
- don the legend - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 11:19 am:
Maybe JB can counter this with a Philanthropist of the Year Award from the Ounce of Prevention Fund.
- DuPage Bard - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 11:20 am:
We’re really not going to have a bunch of political, majority white, intellects decipher Chance’s lyrics are we?
Probably should just reach out see if he has a comment about them.
- Huh? - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 11:41 am:
Wonder how big 1.4%’s donation was to the NBCoC to buy that plaque.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 12:02 pm:
Mr/MsDupageBard is keeeeerect we need a major explain on Chance’s lyrics
But meanwhile which GovJunk “lifetime” did they look at for bestowin’ the honor?t The crooked GA bank, the shoddy nursing home, destruction of state universities like CSU, wreckin’ day care services, dead vets, the $1 million credit union rental ????? So many options.
- frisbee - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 12:32 pm:
Philip Morris had lyrics about Obama giving Daley’s brother a job on the Pilsen 2.0 soundtrack.
To the post,
Maybe Ken Dunkin has more pull with the Black Chamber of Commerce than anyone imagined. /s
- Stuntman Bob's Brother - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 12:38 pm:
A hundred years from now, people will hopefully still be celebrating Maya Angelou’s work. If future cultures are celebrating Chance’s work, I don’t have much hope for future cultures (rhymes with ducked).
- Blacky Ivy - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 12:54 pm:
Well-deserved despite the hating from the naysayers. If you take a step back from the political vitriol, you will see that Governor Rauner’s policy agenda has addressed disparities impacting Blacks from the onset. No amount of revisionist antics can take that away.
- Chi Girl - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 1:22 pm:
I really want the Pat reference to be a Pat Quinn dig
- West Side the Best Side - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 1:25 pm:
“Pat me on the back too hard and Pat’ll ask for your job” clearly means support for the expansion of work visas so more Irish can come to the States for employment opportunities. Or maybe not.
- Father Ted - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 1:29 pm:
Far be it from me to tell Chance his business, but if he puts traditional media outlets out of business, what will Chicagoist publish? The entire model is curating links to other media sources and providing a few lines of (usually snarky) color commentary.
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 2:16 pm:
While it’s funny to think of us trying to decode the lyrics, just think of the chaos in the BTIA(tm) war room while they’re trying to do the same thing.
AA is gonna wait for the video.
- Rabid - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 2:32 pm:
Rauner just got checked
- Duopoly - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 2:35 pm:
“Gov. Rauner receives Arthur A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award”
Bruce Rauner: Illinois’ first black governor (?)
- I Miss Bentohs - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 3:34 pm:
A well-crafted commercial with this “establish parity for African-American contractors should be used as an example for all mayors, county executives and governors throughout our nation” being said about Rauner and JB’s own words about black leaders on tape, should close the gap for Rauner I would think.
- I Miss Bentohs - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 3:37 pm:
== award from the National Black Chamber of Commerce and almost as prestigious ==
Please explain why our chambers award is not prestigious?
- Rabid - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 5:26 pm:
As a white male I accept your appraisal
- Rabid - Friday, Jul 20, 18 @ 3:00 am:
he was the best of govenors, he was the worst of govenors. Got to leave the state to find someone that likes you