Quavo is hosting an anti-gun violence summit with Vice President Kamala Harris in honor of late rapper Takeoff’s birthday

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Migos rapper Quavo’s quest to show his nephew Takeoff’s tragic shooting right into a force for change is convening at an anti-gun violence summit on the late rapper’s thirtieth birthday.

Quavo is hosting the inaugural Rocket Foundation Summit at Atlanta’s Carter Center on Tuesday – the identical day as Takeoff’s birthday. The musical performer shall be joined by Vice President Kamala Harris for a fireplace chat through the one-day summit, which may even include panel discussions on gun violence prevention and youth programs.

It’s been a bumpy road for Quavo since Takeoff’s premature death in 2022. However, many members of his family – including his nephew’s mother – often encourage him to maintain moving forward.

“Every day is very difficult. I’m still crying. I’m still in mourning. I’m still grieving,” said Quavo, who with his family founded the Rocket Foundation in Takeoff’s honor and has committed thousands and thousands to investing in community violence interventions.

Last yr, the Grammy-nominated rapper attended the Congressional Black Caucus legislative conference, where he met with political figures including Harris and Greg Jackson, who, after working at Community Justice Action, is now deputy director of the Office to Prevent Gun Violence in the White House. Fund.

“Just look back and see that I have a vice president and people like Greg Jackson and other survivors who actually fell victim to the same thing, and I know I’m not alone,” Quavo continued. “This is my second calling. This is very personal to me. This is what makes my drive and drive even greater.”

Police say Takeoff was an innocent bystander who was shot and killed outside a Houston bowling alley after a disagreement over a lucrative craps game. Takeoff’s death was one of a series of fatal shootings in recent years involving hip-hop stars corresponding to Nipsey Hussle, Pop Smoke, PnB Rock and Young Dolph.

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Quavo calls the founding and summit a “certified movement.” Earlier this yr, he and the muse created the Sparks Grant program, which supports organizations working to attenuate violence in society.

The program will award grants of $100,000 to Atlanta-based organizations.

“I feel like a lot of people just declare a foundation and maintain it for nonprofit purposes or even for financial reasons,” he said. “But I’m on the ground. I’m actually working. We get things done. We get the results. We collect real money. We look into real communities where this has been a problem.”

Quavo’s discussion with Harris will explore the impact that community-based violence intervention can have and the importance of youth support systems in reducing gun violence. A separate roundtable discussion will connect victims’ families with survivors, who shall be expected to share their stories.

The summit will feature panel discussions focused on the gun violence crisis in the United States and the way community violence intervention is the long-term solution to this problem. Another will discuss the importance of supporting youth in the fight against gun violence and the visibility of youth resources.

Quavo hopes the summit can result in more partnerships between the Rocket Foundation and the White House. He is on a mission to make his voice heard and honor his nephew’s legacy.

“When he hits the goal, he hits it hard,” he said. “We try to avoid that. Just because he’s next to you, you don’t close the door. You can open doors and help your neighborhood. He joins hands with the world and makes sure this awareness appears on a national billboard. This is my platform.”