Quavo is determined to ensure that the tragic gun-related death of his late nephew and fellow Migos member, Takeoff, leads to positive change. On Tuesday, which would have been Takeoff’s 30th birthday, Quavo co-hosted the inaugural Rocket Foundation Summit with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention at The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
At the event, Quavo shared his mission to transform his personal tragedy into a triumph for others. Takeoff, who was shot and killed during a private party in Houston, Texas, in 2022 at the age of 28, is remembered by Quavo as a legend who “died for a cause.”
“My nephew is a legend. He died for a cause and right now we gonna change the world for him,” Quavo stated, expressing his commitment to reducing gun violence and improving communities.
Quavo and Takeoff were part of the influential rap trio Migos, alongside Offset. On Tuesday, Quavo expressed feeling “overwhelmed” but remains dedicated to creating change. “We gotta start here in Atlanta,” he emphasized. “We gotta start here with the culture and making sure we have money for resources.”
One of the summit’s initiatives includes distributing $20,000 grants to organizations dedicated to combating gun violence. Vice President Harris supported the effort, highlighting the importance of continued action. “We have more work to do, but good work is happening and let’s not let anybody make us think that we cannot make a difference,” she said.
Harris announced a new collaboration between AmeriCorps and the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, named the “Safer America Network.” This initiative aims to prevent gun violence by providing resources to at-risk youth and includes training schools and families in trauma-informed care.
In 2023, Quavo traveled to Washington, DC, for a panel discussion on gun violence prevention, which helped establish a dialogue with Vice President Harris. This relationship culminated in their joint discussion at Tuesday’s summit, marking National Gun Violence Awareness Month.
Harris stressed the need for comprehensive efforts to address gun violence, including action during election periods. She denounced the false dichotomy presented by some that one must choose between supporting the Second Amendment and advocating for gun control. “Too many people – who I will call cowards – have been pushing this false choice to suggest you’re either in favor of the Second Amendment or you want to take everyone’s guns away. That’s a false choice. I’m in favor of the Second Amendment,” she stated.
The collaboration aims to build safer communities and ensure that Takeoff’s legacy inspires lasting change.
