Foundation honoring Jacksonville rapper Lil Poppa to host community collaboration mixer – News4JAX

Foundation honoring Jacksonville rapper Lil Poppa to host community collaboration mixer  News4JAX

A foundation created in honor of Jacksonville recording artist Janarious “Lil Poppa” Wheeler will host a community collaboration mixer in October as it works to carry out a vision Wheeler shared before his death. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A new foundation created in honor of Jacksonville recording artist Janarious “Lil Poppa” Wheeler is working to support young people, families and communities through wellness, opportunity and creative expression. The More to Life Janarious “Lil Poppa” Wheeler Legacy Foundation was established by Wheeler’s mother, Orie Lynn Hickson, who said her son had discussed creating an organization that would help others before his death. Rather than allowing the circumstances of her son’s death to define his legacy, Hickson is working to turn his vision into a lasting resource for the Jacksonville community.

The foundation says its mission is bigger than memorializing a successful Jacksonville artist. It hopes to build on the platform Wheeler created and use his vision to help create opportunities that can change lives. Wheeler was 25 when his death was confirmed by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office. He was signed to Collective Music Group, founded by rapper Yo Gotti, and was known for his 2021 debut album, “Blessed, I Guess.” The foundation is governed by a six-member board that includes Hickson and leaders from education, counseling, ministry, finance, business and