Photo credit: XXL
Lil Poppa’s mother is turning her grief into a mission to help others. Orie Lynn Hickson has launched a new foundation in her late son’s name, and it focuses on mental health and community support.
The foundation, called the More to Life Janarious “Lil Poppa” Wheeler Legacy Foundation, went live on social media last week. Its first Instagram post also outlines a mission built around three core pillars.
A vision rooted in Poppa’s own goals
The foundation centers its work around wellness, opportunity and expression. In fact, the organization grew directly out of Poppa’s own vision to help others during his lifetime.
Hickson described the launch as just the beginning of a larger effort tied to her son’s legacy. She has also encouraged followers to grow with the foundation as more details and programming come together in the months ahead.
A formal introduction is coming in October
The foundation will formally debut during a community event next month. So far, organizers have not released additional details about the event.
Meanwhile, Lil Poppa, born Janarious Mykel Wheeler, built a following in Jacksonville, Florida, before reaching national audiences with his music. Throughout his career, he often spoke openly about personal struggles, and that honesty resonated with fans who faced similar challenges.
A legacy tied to mental health advocacy
Poppa died in February at age 25. Afterward, his mother shared that mental health struggles played a role in the circumstances surrounding his death, and she has since spoken publicly about wanting his story to raise awareness for others.
Meanwhile, community members in Jacksonville have separately pushed for the city to recognize his birthday as an official day in his honor. Overall, supporters have pointed to his openness about mental health as a key part of the impact he had on young fans.
Following the foundation’s growth
Fans can follow the More to Life foundation on Instagram under the handle @moretolifelilpoppa. Going forward, its account is expected to share updates as the organization builds out its programming ahead of October’s community event.
Ultimately, Hickson has framed the foundation as a way to carry forward the impact her son hoped to have while he was alive. For fans who followed Poppa’s openness about his own struggles, the organization offers a way to see that message continue.
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Source: XXL
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