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Chance the Rapper hasn’t been shy about championing youth empowerment (see his comments to the audience at Lollapalooza last weekend) or taking up the cause of Chicago schoolchildren (he took on Gov. Bruce Rauner and donated $1 million to CPS earlier this year). So when he steps out as the grand marshal of Saturday’s Bud Billiken Parade in Bronzeville, historically a back-to-school celebration, he’s got the perfect platform.

Issues don’t always take center stage as dance troupes and marching bands wind their way through the streets, says Kristal Davis, a spokeswoman at Chicago Defender Charities, which oversees the parade. “But I’m sure Chance won’t be censored, so when he does make remarks, when he’s interviewed, I believe he will speak from the heart and stand up for the kids.”

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Davis confirms Chance has something big planned for the parade: “There’s going to be a U-Haul coming down King Drive with backpacks in it and they are going to be giving those backpacks to people along the parade route. But we just met with his people and he’s got another big surprise that won’t be revealed until Saturday morning.”

The growing excitement around the historic parade is thrilling, she says. “He’s a pretty hot commodity right now, so to have him plan something special in addition to being the grand marshal, that’s amazing.”

And, she points out that it’s not only a boost for the event (“we had a rough year last year”) but for the kids of the South Side: “So often, our kids get showcased for shootings or becoming victims of violence, and they never get a chance to just let their hair down and show what they can do. This is the one day that they get to really strut their stuff.”

She added only one hint about Chance and his plans: Keep watching the Bud Billiken Facebook page and Chance’s social media.

The 88-year-old parade is one of Chicago’s most historic events and has hosted everyone from Barack Obama to Oprah Winfrey to Muhammad Ali to Harry Truman. And this year, it coincides with the brewing controversy over school funding. Wanna hear what Chance has to say about it? Might be time to grab some lawn chairs and stake out a spot on the parade route.

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