Quavo launches trauma therapy fund after Atlanta shootings leave five dead

Express Tribune

01-08-2025

Following a violent weekend in Atlanta that left five people dead, including two with direct ties to his community work, rapper Quavo and his non-profit, the Rocket Foundation, have launched an emergency trauma therapy fund. The initiative will provide mental health support to youth and families affected by local gun violence, including incidents involving 18-year-old Deshawn Johnson and community leader Aaron Hines.
The Rocket Foundation, founded in 2022 after the tragic death of Migos member Takeoff, is directing proceeds from the Therapy Support Fund toward trauma care services and youth mentorship. According to a statement, the fund will assist local organizations such as Hope Hustlers and Offenders Alumni, which are active in frontline violence intervention efforts. Donations are currently being accepted.
Johnson, a former participant in the foundation's Rocket Camp, was among multiple people shot and hospitalized. Authorities reported finding over 100 shell casings at the scene. Hines — affectionately known as 'Coach Ball' — was a youth football coach and a previous grant recipient from the foundation. His murder sparked an outpouring of grief, with hundreds gathering at a vigil to honor his legacy. A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the case.
In an earlier interview with Rolling Stone, Quavo explained why the foundation's mission is deeply personal: 'This is a huge problem in our community, in our culture — gun violence. And just being a victim, of course, it's so personal to me.' He added that Rocket Camp was designed to 'get [young people's] mindset on a positive type of time,' offering programs in sports, life skills, and community building — something he says is increasingly missing in underserved neighborhoods.
The Rocket Foundation is currently accepting donations to support trauma recovery, violence prevention, and youth mentorship in affected Atlanta communities.