THE BLAQ ICE EXPERIENCE

Blaq Ice made history, as part of the Black Heroes Matter Movement, he was largely responsible in the renaming one of Chicago's historic streets, Lake Shore Drive. He led the rallying cry with his poem, BLACK HEROES MATTER. The poem is about Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, the Founder of Chicago, who had been denied his proper acknowledgement for 200 years. This movement, led by Ephraim Martin, successfully got the street name changed from Lake Shore Drive to Jean Baptist Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive 

 De'Andre Hawthorne, also known as Blaq Ice, holds the distinction of being the driving force behind the establishment of the Chicago Poet Laureate. In a historic move, he successfully advocated for the position by engaging with Chicago 17th Ward Alderman David Moore who brought it to the city council in 2022. Through persistent efforts, including numerous phone calls and emails, Blaq Ice's dedication culminated in the appointment of Avery Young as Chicago's inaugural poet laureate on April 24, 2023. Beyond achieving a significant milestone, Blaq Ice's pivotal role has not only solidified his status as the Father of the Chicago Poet Laureate, but has also created a lasting impact by opening doors for future generations in the poetry and Spoken Word community.