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’s three areas of focus are:
Wellness: Mental wellness education, suicide prevention and awareness, fatherhood and family strengthening, and access to support and resources.
Opportunity: Youth development and mentorship, education, scholarships, career exposure and pathways.
Expression: Music and creative arts as tools for connection, confidence, development and opportunity.
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 the arts.
Board members include Jacksonville native Shauntrell Pender-Griffin, nationally known as recording artist Tokyo Jetz; Dr. Faye Cohen; Bishop Harry Williams II; Dr. Sherry L. Lowman; and Carlos Foster.
More to Life Foundation Founding Board of Directors. (Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
The foundation said Pender-Griffin also founded Bright Beginnings Academy and is married to former Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Shaquill Griffin.
“A mother who lost her son to suicide is choosing to turn grief into service,” the release said. “A vision he spoke about while he was alive is becoming a real organization. And people from across Jacksonville are being invited to help determine how that organization can create something positive for the same city and community that helped a young boy with a dream become Lil Poppa.”
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.