Jennifer Honors Inspiring Principal Who Pays Out of Pocket for His Students

Jennifer Hudson not only honored a dedicated Illinois elementary school principal but she also gave him the opportunity to win an awesome prize for his students.

On Thursday’s episode of “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” JHud surprised Christian Mahone of Champaign, Illinois — who was sitting in the audience and thought he was going to have an interview backstage — by introducing him as the next guest.

Born and raised in the South Side of Chicago, Christian was a teacher for six years before he became the principal of South Side Elementary.

“I like to call it ‘the starship,’” he told Jenn about this school. “Our school mascot is the Superstar, so I like to call it ‘the starship’ because we’re navigating troubled waters.”

As a child, Christian’s dad taught him the importance of education and told him, “You could have all the money in the world, but one thing that can’t be taken away is your education.”

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While a student in the Chicago public school system, Christian laid the foundation of his future career by always “helping [his] peers out” in high school.

Though his family thought he would become a doctor, his first pre-medical class in college “kicked my butt.”

Following this experience, Christian said he knew “education is the way to go.”

Christian also wanted to pursue this field because he didn’t see many Black men go into education, a sentiment that was later echoed by his students.

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Christian said the thing he loves the most about teaching is “working with my students.”

He even pays out of his own pocket to make sure his students have opportunities and makes sure they “feel important.”

“Everyone in the field of education does that. I don’t think twice about it because I was also one of those kids who grew up not having a lot. But my parents always made sure we had the basic needs,” he said.

“I know for a child, when they have food insecurity or if they’re not looking presentable, they don’t feel good about themselves.”

Christian said he is also starting a basketball program, as many of his students don’t have the means to play.

As a reward for going above and beyond, Jennifer gave Principal Mahone and his entire school tickets to a Chicago Bulls game!

“The Jennifer Hudson Show” airs weekdays. Check your local listings.