Ye’s Late Mother Donda West Honored With Street Renaming in Chicago

Long live Donda West. Ye (formerly Kanye West) was back home in Chicago on Tuesday (Sept. 22) to attend a ceremony for an honorary street renaming for his late mother, Donda West, who passed away in 2007.

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East 78th Street in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, near where West was raised, was renamed to Dr. Donda West Way. Ye didn’t speak at the ceremony, but did the official unveiling of the honorary street sign.

“Dr. Donda West was not only a scholar — she was a builder of people, a cultivator of talent, and a champion for Black creativity and intellectual excellence,” said 7th Ward Alderman Greg Mitchell, who served as the master of ceremonies on the South Side. “For nearly three decades at Chicago State University, Dr. West shaped minds and opened doors.”

Plenty of Yeezy’s close friends and longtime collaborators were in attendance, including designer Don C, Rhymefest, GLC and Really Doe.

Dr. West was the chair of the English Department and a professor at Chicago State University, where she founded the Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing.

Donda West and Ye had a tight-knit mother-son bond, while his mother helped guide and supported Yeezy on his way to rap stardom. She also inspired Ye’s catalog fan favorites like “Hey Mama” and “Only One.” His Billboard 200 chart leader from 2021, Donda, is named after his mom.

Donda West passed away at 58 years old in November 2007. West had coronary artery disease and died due to a combination of the pre-existing illness and post-operative complications a day after having cosmetic surgery.

Ye released his Bully album in March, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. He’s been touring across the globe with spot dates throughout 2026. He’ll return to the stage on Oct. 24 in Indonesia before heading to Houston on Halloween.