Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, returned to Chicago’s South Side today for a special celebration honoring the life and legacy of his late mother, Dr. Donda West.

The City of Chicago officially honored Dr. West with the honorary designation “Dr. Donda West Way,” along 78th Street from South Shore Drive to Coles Avenue — just steps from the South Shore neighborhood where Ye spent much of his childhood.

Ye was present for the ceremony, smiling and celebrating alongside community members as Chicago paid tribute to the woman whose influence extended far beyond her famous son.

Dr. West was a respected educator and scholar who spent decades at Chicago State University, where she served as a professor and eventually chaired the university’s English, Communications, Media and Theater department. She also played an important role in the development of Chicago State University’s Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing, an institution dedicated to the study and celebration of Black writers and literary culture.

She later retired from academia in 2004 to help manage her son’s rapidly growing career.

The location of the honorary street designation carries an especially personal connection for the West family. Ye’s childhood home was located at 7815 S. South Shore Drive, and he spent approximately eight years of his childhood there with his mother.

Dr. West died in 2007 at just 58 years old. Her relationship with her son became well known throughout his career, with Ye frequently speaking about her influence on his life, creativity and success.

Today’s ceremony brought that story back to where much of it began — Chicago’s South Side — permanently placing Dr. Donda West’s name within the community she and her son once called home.

Archived video from today’s honorary street naming ceremony is available to watch on demand below.

Sarah Jakes Roberts released her new documentary, Behind the Surrender: The Making of Woman Evolve 2024, on July 30, 2026. The film gives viewers an intimate look behind the scenes of the major women’s conference. Available to stream on Woman Evolve TV and the Sarah Jakes Roberts YouTube Channel [1, 2, 3, 4]

Sarah Jakes Roberts is inviting audiences behind the curtain.

The bestselling author, pastor, and founder of the Woman Evolve movement has released her new documentary, Behind the Surrender: The Making of Woman Evolve 2024, offering an intimate look at the vision, preparation, and purpose behind one of the largest faith-based conferences in the world.

While the documentary is noteworthy on its own, its release carried even greater significance because it arrived during the very week that thousands of women would have been gathering for the 2026 Woman Evolve Conference.

Earlier this year, Sarah Jakes Roberts announced that the conference would be postponed as she continues recovering from a serious accident that resulted in a fractured neck, multiple herniated discs, and major surgery. Rather than returning to the stage before she was fully healed, Roberts chose to prioritize her health and recovery—a decision that was met with an outpouring of prayers and support from the Woman Evolve community.

Against that backdrop, the release of Behind the Surrender on Thursday, July 30, came as a welcome and unexpected gift for supporters who had anticipated gathering in Atlanta. Although this year’s conference could not take place, the documentary offered audiences a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with the heart of the Woman Evolve movement and experience the journey behind one of its most impactful seasons.

Known for her transparency and ability to connect with women navigating life’s most difficult seasons, Roberts has built Woman Evolve into a global movement that extends far beyond the conference stage. Through books, podcasts, digital content, and live experiences, the ministry has become a source of encouragement for millions seeking healing, growth, and spiritual transformation.

Now, with Behind the Surrender, viewers are given access to the moments that happen long before the lights come on.

Instead of simply celebrating the finished event, the documentary pulls back the curtain on the work, faith, collaboration, and perseverance required to bring the Woman Evolve Conference to life.

What to Expect When You Watch Behind the Surrender

Whether you’re a longtime supporter of Woman Evolve or discovering the movement for the first time, here’s what you can expect from the documentary:

• An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the 2024 Woman Evolve Conference.
• Sarah Jakes Roberts beyond the stage, revealing the responsibility, pressure, and purpose that come with leading a global ministry.
• The planning process that transforms a vision into a world-class conference experience.
• The people behind the movement, highlighting the teams, volunteers, creatives, producers, and leaders who help bring Woman Evolve to life.
• Moments of vulnerability and authenticity that reflect Roberts’ signature style of leading through transparency.
• The power of surrender, showing how faith, obedience, and trusting God’s timing remain central to every decision.
• Production insights into what it takes to execute a large-scale faith-based event that serves thousands of attendees.
• Encouragement for leaders, entrepreneurs, ministry teams, and creatives who are building something bigger than themselves.
• A reminder that purpose isn’t always glamorous, and that many of the greatest victories happen long before anyone sees the final result.
• An inspiring celebration of teamwork, illustrating that lasting impact is built through collaboration, preparation, and servant leadership.

More Than a Documentary

Faith-based storytelling continues to evolve, and documentaries like Behind the Surrender are helping ministries reach audiences in fresh and meaningful ways.

Today’s viewers are looking for authenticity. They want to see the process, not just the platform. They want to understand the sacrifices behind the success, the challenges behind the celebration, and the people behind the purpose.

Sarah Jakes Roberts delivers exactly that by reminding viewers that every powerful moment on stage is supported by countless moments of faithfulness behind the scenes.

A Powerful Reminder

For ministry leaders, event organizers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone pursuing a God-given vision, Behind the Surrender serves as a powerful reminder that meaningful impact requires preparation, perseverance, and surrender.

The documentary doesn’t simply tell the story of a conference—it celebrates the journey of building a movement that continues to inspire women around the world.

Beyond the Spotlight

At ArtSoul Radio, we love stories that reveal what happens beyond the spotlight.

While audiences often celebrate the final product, it’s the unseen hours of planning, prayer, collaboration, and dedication that truly shape transformative experiences. Behind the Surrender captures those moments, reminding viewers that purpose is developed long before it is displayed.

For anyone seeking inspiration, leadership lessons, or a deeper appreciation for the work that fuels impactful ministry, Sarah Jakes Roberts’ latest documentary is well worth watching.

A historic celebration of democracy, culture, service, and hope to take place June 18th in Chicago and livestreamed to the world.

CHICAGO — The Obama Foundation today announced the performers scheduled to take the stage at the Obama Presidential Center’s Grand Opening Ceremony on June 18. The historic event, held at the Center’s John Lewis Plaza, marks a milestone for the city of Chicago and communities around the world. The ceremony will bring together global leaders, artists, changemakers, and citizens for an inspiring celebration of the values that shaped the Obama presidency and continue to power civic engagement across generations.

Located on Chicago’s South Side, the Obama Presidential Center is a global hub designed to inspire, empower, and connect people to create change. Beginning June 19, visitors of all ages will be invited to explore the open campus, engage with immersive exhibits and public programs, and discover how they can make a difference in their own communities. Celebratory events will continue through the weekend, offering a preview of programming that will bring the entire campus to life throughout the year and beyond.

“This Grand Opening ceremony will be unlike any other — filled with music, performances, and hope,” said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation. “The Grand Opening Ceremony will reflect a spirit of inspiration and joy, with a big boost from the performers who are sharing their talent with us. We hope to inspire people everywhere to believe in their power to bring change home.”

The Grand Opening Ceremony will be livestreamed globally beginning at 11 a.m. Central Time on Obama.org, and on The Obama Foundation’s TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook accounts. 

Performers taking part in the June 18 ceremony will include: 

• Multiple GRAMMY Award-winning artists The Roots
• Multiple GRAMMY, Oscar, Golden Globe, and Special Tony Award-winning artist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bruce Springsteen
• Multiple GRAMMY Award-winning artist Christina Aguilera
• Multiple GRAMMY, Oscar, and Emmy Award-winning artist Common
• Multiple GRAMMY, Golden Globe Award-winning artist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Eddie Vedder
• Multiple GRAMMY, Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning artist Jennifer Hudson
• Multiple GRAMMY, Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning artist John Legend
• Multiple GRAMMY and Oscar Award-winning artist Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Stevie Wonder
• Multiple GRAMMY Award-winning artist Marc Anthony
• Multiple GRAMMY Award-winning artist Tems
• Multiple GRAMMY Award-winning artists, multiple Golden Globe winners, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, and Kennedy Center Honorees U2’s Bono and The Edge
• Actress and producer Marsai Martin

The Obama Presidential Center opens to the public on June 19. While Museum tickets are sold out for opening weekend, the rest of the campus is free and accessible for the general public.

The Grand Opening Weekend of the Obama Presidential Center is made possible through the generous support of GCM Grosvenor, Abbott, BMO, ITW, and Northern Trust.