Skip to Main Content

Issue Areas

  • Immigration Helping aspiring Americans and new immigrants succeed
  • Education Clearing pathways to a meaningful education
  • Environment Building solutions at the intersection of climate innovation and environmental justice.
  • XQ: The Super School Project Rethinking America's high schools
  • Chicago CRED Creating real economic destiny in Chicago
  • Equity & Justice Shaping new systems of opportunity for all
  • Media & Journalism Provoking thought and strengthening democracy
  • Health Accelerating cancer research and empowering patients

About Emerson

  • About Us A letter from Laurene Powell Jobs
  • Our Team Meet the members of the Collective
  • Our Fellowships Amplifying extraordinary voices
  • Internships We are looking for interns who are motivated to lead.
  • Careers Join the Collective

Share this page

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin

Behind the Scenes with Chicago CRED on The Daily Show

Chicago CRED

Posted October 2017

The Chicago CRED team speaks with Trevor Noah about Chicago gun violence and CRED's critical efforts.

"You change your circle, you change your life," host Trevor Noah says. Before the filming of the special episode highlighting Chicago CRED's important work, Trevor had the chance to sit down with a group of CRED men, hear their stories, and share his own.

Managing Partner Arne Duncan and Community Change Leader Curtis Toler joined "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" to talk about CRED's critical work.

Before the show, Trevor had the opportunity meet some of the men in CRED's current cohort. The group had an intimate conversation about the challenges they've faced and how CRED programming like education, counseling, and job training is helping them get off the dangerous paths that are all too common for young men in Chicago. Trevor shared similar stories and insight from his own background, growing up in segregated South Africa and witnessing regular violence in his own neighborhood.

When CRED participants asked Trevor what the key was to leaving a life of potential violence and striving for something more, Trevor noted it was the first time he managed to get a legitimate job. "The streets don't sound as loud when you have a job and some money... a true job where they told me I was good at what I was doing."

The special episode of "The Daily Show" is one of five filmed in Chicago, focusing on both the urgency of the city's gun violence issues and the great potential of local leaders to make positive change.

As Arne and Curtis explain, Chicago CRED has a bright vision for Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods. It's a vision that includes working with guys directly, providing key coaching and skills, and a smarter way to reduce gun violence through employment and a new community of support. By engaging community members, local business owners, and other stakeholders, CRED is paving the way for a new conversation taking place in Chicago.

"What if we could give children their childhoods back," says Arne. "What if they could grow up free of fear? That's got to be our collective ambition."

A crucial step is helping young men envision themselves choosing a path that's different from what they may believe to be inevitable based on what they've seen growing up. "You change your circle, you change your life," says Trevor.

Watch "The Daily Show" segment here.

Connected Stories

  • Rev. Craig Nash Speaks Out About Policing in Black Communities

    ‘The fear and the mistrust goes so far back, and I almost wanna say it’s in our DNA’ — Community leader Rev. Craig Nash is speaking out about violent policing in Black communities, like his own in Chicago

    Chicago CRED
  • CRED Goes to Washington

    Over Labor Day weekend in 2019, a group of 80 Chicago CRED members, staff, friends and family traveled from Chicago to Washington, DC to tour the historic Nation’s Capital.

    Chicago CRED
  • Chicago CRED Honors its Newest High School Graduates

    In a ceremony on August 15th, a crowd of family, friends and fellow CRED members celebrated as 52 graduates received their diplomas.

    Chicago CRED

From Our Network

  • First feel me, then heal us, Chicago man who knows violence all too well writes

    Charles Woodhouse Jr. witnessed a murder at 11, was shot at 15, imprisoned at 17. Now 25 and under house arrest, the South Side native has a strong take on what it will take to curb violence.

    Chicago Sun Times

Stay Informed

Join our mailing list and follow us on social.

Email address is not valid. Email addresses should follow the format user@domain.com and must originate from a valid domain.

You may unsubscribe at any time. By submitting information, you accept our Privacy Policy.

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • linkedin

Copyright © 2023 Emerson Collective

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Unsolicited Submission Policy
  • Fraudulent Requests