Jamila Woods, the acclaimed musician, poet, and activist hailing from Chicago’s South Side, has unveiled her latest single, “Teach Me.” Produced by oddCouple (Zach Henderson), this new track emerges from a collaboration with the University of Illinois-Chicago’s Portal Project, a climate justice initiative. The single is part of a broader effort to raise funds for hunger relief in Sudan, with all proceeds from the song directed towards this cause.

“Teach Me” marks Woods’ return to the music scene following her 2023 album Water Made Us, which showcased her signature airy R&B style and explored themes of personal relationships. This new release continues Woods’ tradition of merging music with social activism and community engagement.

Raised in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago, Woods initially left the city to pursue her artistic ambitions but returned to release LEGACY! LEGACY! in 2019. Her commitment to Chicago’s artistic community has been unwavering through her roles as an educator and community organizer, including her tenure as an executive director at Young Chicago Authors (YCA). Her musical collaborations with local talents like Chance the Rapper, Saba, and Nico Segal further root her artistic endeavors in the city’s vibrant creative landscape.

“Teach Me” reflects Woods’ ongoing dedication to leveraging her platform for meaningful causes while continuing to innovate within her genre.

Jamila Woods on ‘Teach Me’ in her own words:

““Teach Me” was born from a prompt I received from the Portal Project to create a song about climate justice. I collaborated with my friend and longtime collaborator oddCouple on the track. The lyrics “teach me how to love you better” are an invitation to shift away from the paternalistic mindset of “saving the planet” and move fully towards respect and co-existence with the earth in a more just and sustainable way. The writing was heavily inspired by the wisdom of Colette Pichon Battle, adrienne maree brown, and Dr. Vandana Shiva.

All proceeds of the song will be donated to the Sudanese American Physician’s Association’s “Sudan Food Donation Program,” which is dedicated to addressing the critical issue of food insecurity, particularly in the conflict-affected regions of Sudan. Their work extends beyond addressing immediate hunger by promoting agricultural practices, educating communities, supporting local farmers, and empowering individuals to ensure food security and break the cycle of hunger, uplifting communities for the long term.”

Listen to “Teach Me” below: