Our Team
Below you will find our Leadership Team and Board of Directors.
co-founder, PRESIDENT and CEO: CHE “RHYMEFEST” KWEKU SMITH
Driven by his motto, "true power is the power to empower others," Che ‘Rhymefest’ Kweku Smith is an Artist, Humanitarian and Global citizen, shattering negative stereotypes about hip-hop and proving that art can be a tool for community building.
In 2005, Rhymefest won a Grammy for co-writing the mega-hit "Jesus Walks" with his childhood friend, Kanye West. Rhymefest also received a Soul Train award, Grammy, Golden Globe and Oscar in 2015 for co-writing Common and John Legends, “Glory”.
Che was recognized for his hip-hop pedagogy by New York University’s Hip Hop Education Center and in 2016, he was selected as one of Chicago Magazine’s Chicagoans of the Year. Che was the first hip-hop artist to be named a prestigious Montgomery Fellow at Dartmouth College.
Expanding his gifts beyond the boarders of music, Che was the subject of his Showtime and Break Thru Films documentary, “In My Father’s House”. Rhymefest purchased the childhood home of his estranged Father only to find that he’d been homeless for most of Che’s life and he embarked on a journey to reconnect and redeem their relationship. Che also co-starred in the motion film, “The Public” alongside Gabriel Union, Alec Baldwin and Michael K. Williams, written and directed by Emilio Estavez.
In 2020 Rhymefest was named Co-Chair of the Year of Chicago Music, an initiative by the City to highlight Chicago’s vibrant music scene.
As member of the Abolition Institute’s humanitarian delegation traveling to Mauritania and Senegal in 2017 & 2021, Che led a cross-cultural and artistic collaborative, “Raised Voices”, using song, art and collective gifts to unite and elevate the World. Che’s project “Love Lessons pt 1 & 2”, is a memoir and album detailing his personal and professional life and how he let the spirit of Love light his path.
Rhymefest signed a multi-album recording deal with Golden State Entertainment in 2022 and is currently working on his first of three albums with the new entertainment affiliate of the NBA Championship Golden State Warriors.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Heather Smith
Heather is a passionate and spirited Human Resources Executive and visionary Business Leader with experience delivering results in global companies such as Nike, Shure Inc. and others. She practices servant leadership, and her focus is on mentoring and empowering others to reach their full potential. Heather is recognized for her competence in cross cultural intelligence, talent development, and strategic project management. She studied Business Administration at University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana and holds a certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership from University of Southern California and a Professional in Human Resources ‘PHR’ Certification.
Heather co-founded “By the Book” book club where she partnered with a team of word enthusiasts to publish book reviews and interview renowned authors. Through her dedication to those who treasure words, Heather helped promote the power of literacy by honoring the sacred African traditions of oral storytelling of traveling poets, historians and musicians, known as the “Griots”.
Traveling across Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe, North & South America, Heather is a visual storyteller capturing the communities and rituals of Indigenous cultures along with the colors and complexities of modern society. From the West African Akan language, Akosua means “Woman born on a Sunday”. Heather’s brand Akosua Images, celebrates the fine art of natural landscapes and human emotions through her photography.
Heather joined the Abolition Institute in 2021 as delegate member and photographer, capturing the humanitarian collaboration in Mauritania and Senegal. She is currently working on her photography book, Freedom, documenting the art and cultural experience in West Africa.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Charleston “the honorable hakim dough” Parham
Charleston Parham, professionally known as Hakim Dough, is a conceptual artist that utilizes music, fashion, print and film to convey messages. His intentions for creating art are to advance humanity, bridge communities and be of service to those in need. He is passionate about cultivating the minds of teens and young adults within the scope of his expertise, and is a life long learner that's eager to share the knowledge he acquires.