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More to Life Foundation Founding Board of Directors. (Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)<\/p>\nJACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 A new foundation created in honor of Jacksonville recording artist Janarious \u201cLil Poppa\u201d Wheeler is working to support young people, families and communities through wellness, opportunity and creative expression.<\/p>\n
The More to Life Janarious \u201cLil Poppa\u201d Wheeler Legacy Foundation was established by Wheeler\u2019s mother, Orie Lynn Hickson, who said her son had discussed creating an organization that would help others before his death.<\/p>\n
Rather than allowing the circumstances of her son\u2019s death to define his legacy, Hickson is working to turn his vision into a lasting resource for the Jacksonville community.<\/p>\n
The foundation\u2019s three areas of focus are:<\/p>\n
Wellness:\u00a0Mental wellness education, suicide prevention and awareness, fatherhood and family strengthening, and access to support and resources.<\/p>\n
Opportunity:\u00a0Youth development and mentorship, education, scholarships, career exposure and pathways.<\/p>\n
Expression:\u00a0Music and creative arts as tools for connection, confidence, development and opportunity.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Wheeler was 25 when his death was confirmed by the Fulton County Medical Examiner\u2019s Office. He was signed to Collective Music Group, founded by rapper Yo Gotti, and was known for his 2021 debut album, \u201cBlessed, I Guess.\u201d<\/p>\n
The foundation is governed by a six-member board that includes Hickson and leaders from education, counseling, ministry, finance, business and the arts.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
More to Life Foundation Founding Board of Directors. (Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n
The foundation said Pender-Griffin also founded Bright Beginnings Academy and is married to former Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Shaquill Griffin.<\/p>\n
\u201cA mother who lost her son to suicide is choosing to turn grief into service,\u201d the release said. \u201cA 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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