Only a few years ago, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) was ranked the worst in the nation, with just 6% of high school freshman going on to graduate from college. Furthermore, of the 400,000 students in the CPS system, 85% of those students live under the poverty line. This is an unacceptable reality! If today’s students cannot raise themselves up out of poverty, then the education system has failed them. NFTE, The Common Ground Foundation and Platform-One Entertainment intend to partner in the fight to radically change the lives of Chicago area students.

NFTE has dramatically improved the lives of countless under-served youth by using a reality-based program to engage them in school, teach them about the market economy and help the students develop an entrepreneurial mindset. To date, NFTE has reached over 5,200 students in Chicago and over 150,000 world-wide and continues to provide inner-city students with the tools they need to succeed.

The Common Ground Foundation is dedicated to the empowerment and development of disadvantaged urban youth through education focusing on combating illiteracy and HIV/AIDS prevention. Money raised from this event will go directly to NFTE and Common Ground Foundation programs in Chicago’s Public School System.

Two-time Grammy Award Winner Common headlined the benefit concert. Born and raised in Chicago, Common has risen to prominence as one of hip-hop’s most prolific artists and has recently added the job of actor to his resume with several major motion picture roles, including "American Gangster," and the upcoming film “Wanted”, starring Angelina Jolie. Additionally, he’s written children’s books and his latest I Like You But I Love Me was recently nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Fresh off his seventh album “Finding Forever”, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, Common continues to support the Chicago community and serve as a role model to the children of the CPS.

The event also featured up-and-coming, Chicago indie rock band OFFICE, New York based rock and soul artist Reese, and Ken of East Coast Boogiemen, as well as a silent auction where attendees bid on many one-of-a-kind music, sports, and entertainment merchandise and memorabilia.

"The Chicago Sun-Times is proud to support Platform One Entertainment, Common, NFTE and the Common Ground Foundation. As the #1 source for local news and information in Chicago, we are committed to supporting local artists and the Chicago Public Schools as we all work together to help make the dreams of local students come true." - Chicago Sun-Times

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to play a role in this exciting event and contribute to the mission of improving the future for many Chicago area youth. Developing the skills needed to succeed requires a solid education and the desire for lifelong learning. We commend Platform One Entertaiment for organizing this event and impressing these values upon those in attendance." - David Pauldine, President of Devry University

"Platform One Entertainment was kind enough to ask us to be part of the performance at House of Blues. We happily agreed, as it's helping Chicago area school children through two great non-profits (Common's own The Common Ground Foundation and the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship). Education reform for Chicago's kids is a very easy charity to get behind, and being able to do that by playing a show with one of Chicago's best known and most successful homegrown artists is really exciting for us. Sometimes as an artist, it's easy to get wrapped up in your own self-created world. Being able to use our art to assist other organizations in creating positive change is an incredible experience in itself." - OFFICE

"I just want to say I am honored to be a part of such a wonderful event. Platform One Entertainment, NFTE & The Common Ground Foundation are organizations committed to helping and assisting the young people in our society. Thus, I am committed right along side of them in their efforts to do so. Thank you for allowing me to share my gifts with you. Love is life." - REESE

"The Dare to Dream event was a fantastic night! It was very special for us to kick-off and introduce the Common Ground Foundation in Chicago. Thanks again to everyone involved at Platform One, sponsors, donors and our Board of Directors." - Common Ground Foundation Executive Director, Jodie Blum

"I am thrilled to be involved with this great event that Platform One Entertainment has organized. By choosing NFTE & The Common Ground Foundation, Platform One Entertainment has partnered with two great organizations that are doing very important work in the Chicago Public School System. 'Dare to Dream' should be a great night for the city of Chicago and for Chicago's students." - Chicago Public Schools CEO, Arne Duncan

"Seeing our students beam with excitement as they shook Common's hand or as they danced the night away was incredibly rewarding. And being able to host VIP's that we've been trying to get involved with the program was a huge help. And then there's marketing and branding...many new pockets of people are now aware of NFTE and our mission of teaching entrepreneurship. Again, your hard work and generosity created such a spectacular evening. We can't thank you enough." - Christine Poorman, Executive Director of NFTE Chicago