LOS ANGELES – Migos The search for rapper Quavo to turn the tragic shooting of his nephew Takeoff into a force for change convened with a summit against gun violence on what would have been the late rapper’s 30th birthday.
Quavo held the first Rocket Foundation Summit at the Carter Center in Atlanta on Tuesday — the same day as Takeoff’s birthday. The musician was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris in a chat during the day-long summit, which included panel discussions on gun violence prevention and youth programs.
For Quavo, it’s been a tough road since The premature death of takeoff in 2022. But many members of his family — including his nephew’s mother — often encourage him to move on.
“It’s very difficult every day. I’m still crying. I’m still grieving. I’m still grieving,” said Quavo, who together with his family released the Rocket Foundation in honor of takeoff and committed millions to invest in community violence intervention.
Last year, the Grammy-nominated rapper participated in the Congressional Black Caucus legislative conference where he met with political figures including Harris and Greg Jackson, who is now deputy director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention following his stint at the Community Justice Action Fund.
“Just looking back and seeing that I got the vice president and guys like Greg Jackson and other survivors who were victims of the same thing, I know I’m not alone,” Quavo continued. “This is my second calling. This is very personal to me. This is what makes me motivated and motivated to go even further.”
Police say Takeoff was an innocent bystander who was shot outside a Houston bowling alley following a disagreement over a lucrative dice game. Takeoff’s death was among a series of fatal shootings in recent years that have involved hip-hop stars such as Nipsey Hussle, pop smoke, Rocha PnB It is Young Gulf.
Quavo calls the foundation and summit a “certified movement.” Earlier this year, he and the foundation created the Sparks Grant program, which supports organizations working to minimize community violence.
The program will award $100,000 in grants to Atlanta-focused organizations.
“I feel like a lot of people just announce foundations and keep them going for nonprofits or even for financial reasons,” he said. “But I’m on the ground. I’m actually working. We’re getting things done. We’re getting results. We’re raising real money. We’re going into the real communities where the issue has been a problem.”
Quavo’s discussion with Harris touched on the impact that community violence intervention can have and the importance of youth support systems in reducing gun violence. A separate roundtable connected victims’ families with survivors.
“Translating this pain and sadness into something that aims to create strength and empowerment in the community – including our young people – is extraordinary,” Harris said during the discussion while speaking with Quavo. “You chose to use your celebrity and the gifts you have as an artist to speak and actually work with action. It’s extraordinary. You are an incredible leader. A national leader at that.”
The summit featured panels focused on the gun violence crisis in the United States and how intervening in community violence is a long-term solution to this issue. Another will discuss the importance of supporting young people in the fight against gun violence and the visibility of youth resources.
Quavo hopes the summit can lead to more partnerships between the Rocket Foundation and the White House. He is on a mission to ensure his voice is heard and honor his nephew’s legacy.
“It’s strong when it hits the target,” he said. “We are trying to avoid that. Just because it’s next door, you don’t close the door. You can open the door and help your neighborhood. It’s about joining hands with the world and ensuring that this awareness is on a national billboard. That’s my platform.”
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