In Loving Memory of Dr. Donda C. West
July 12, 1949 - November 10, 2007
"The purpose of life is a life of purpose." - Robert Byrne
[KANYE WEST CELEBRATES WITH HIS MOTHER AT THE GRAMMYS : GETTY IMAGES]
Binside TV interviewed Dr. Donda West on the day of her son rapper Kanye West's historic album release. She spoke candidly about her new book "Raising Kanye", her son's fiancee Alexis Phifer's clothing line Ghita and her joy for their upcoming wedding.
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It's hard to believe that it was just last November when Dr. Donda West, 58, died suddenly following cosmetic surgery. In her honor, Binside TV would like to take a moment to celebrate her influential life's work.
Kanye West always spoke highly of his mother, Mrs. West and showed her tremendous respect. She was his rock, and had been there for him from the beginning offering him encouragement and being supportive of his musical interests from early on.
Fortunately, Kanye's mother saw him rise to the highest heights of success. Mother West was without a doubt very proud of Kanye and his biggest fan. We would often see them together at award ceremonies, like the Grammy's, and she would be looking at Kanye with joy. They shared a special bond and Kanye is still devastated by her loss her which changed his life instantly. There was rarely a moment where his mother wasn't right by his side and our hearts and prayers go out to Kanye who lost his mom and best-friend with her passing.
Kanye recently said: "I'm just going through balancing that. And I always used to have that support system, you know. My mom would be there; no matter what, she was there before everything," he said. "We were together for like 30 years. And you know now when I'm on that stage and I look out and I say, 'What am I going to do with the rest of my life?' Like when does a real life start?' Because I have sacrificed real life to be a celebrity and to give this art to people, which is great. It is great that I was able to do that, I'm not trying to shun that in any way, but it's definitely a Catch-22 and it's bittersweet." (source)
Prior to retiring to become chief executive of West Brands, LLC., Dr. Donda West worked in higher education for 31 years. She was the chairwoman and a professor of Chicago State University’s English department. It was in her distinguished career as an educator where she sought to help others through teaching.
Mrs. West left Chicago and relocated to Los Angeles to help Kanye with his career, something that Kanye sadly blames himself for.
He recently told People: "I feel like I moved to California, then my mom moved to California, and she did stuff she wouldn't have done if we'd stayed in Chicago. If I'd never made it in the music business, it never would've happened." (source)
Binside TV interviewed Donda West about the insightful personal memoir she authored, "Raising Kanye: Life Lessons From The Mother Of A Hip-Hop Superstar." In it, she chronicles his childhood and illustrates lessons of proper parenting by openly sharing the struggles and challenges she faced raising Kanye as a single, hard-working mother in hopes others who find themselves in similar circumstances may benefit.
Kanye West Feels Lonely After His Mother Passed Away: Wants To Design & Do Music On Weekends.
Kanye's mother possessed a gracious spirit and had been influential to me and countless others. Mrs. West, in fact, became my spiritual mother and mentor. To me, she was MomWest and a shining example of faith, hope and inspiration showing me who I could become. MomWest was an exceptional woman and I'm fortunate to have crossed life paths with her. You would be hard pressed to find anyone more loving and kind-hearted.
Dr. West was a remarkable woman who believed in living with intent and purpose. She followed the laws of spiritual success and believed in giving back. Together, Dr. Donda West and Kanye West co-founded the Kanye West Foundation which was later renamed to the Donda West Foundation in her honor of her memory. She understood the importance of education and Kanye believed that Loop Dreams could be instrumental in helping to combat the staggering high school dropout rates across the country by empowering teens through hip hop music and making education a top priority.
Following her death, legislation was proposed in California called the Donda West Law that would require medical clearance for elective cosmetic surgery. A bill that may prevent others from sharing her tragic fate.
Dr. West was the embodiment of wisdom, strength, courage and power. She influenced the lives of others in a positive way through her outstanding achievements and was an extraordinary woman who left a legacy behind. Mother West is truly missed and we will remembered her as a dear friend who was tragically lost.
Kanye's been busy promoting his latest album titled "808's and Heartbreak" which will be in stores November 24th and we know that Mrs. West will be watching from the heavens above. May she rest in eternal peace.
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