Lil Poppa’s Mom Launches Mental Health Foundation As Suicide Impacts Black Men More Than Any Other Demographic
Originally published by AllHipHop Read the original
Lil Poppa‘s mother is turning her son’s memory into a movement that addresses mental health and opportunity in Jacksonville.
Orie Lynn Hickson established More to Life, a foundation dedicated to honoring the legacy of her son, who died in February at just 25 years old.
The organization emerged from a vision Lil Poppa shared before his death, transforming personal grief into community action that’ll impact the city that shaped him as an artist.
More to Life focuses on three core areas: mental health support, economic opportunity, and creative expression. Hickson created the foundation to address wellness needs while keeping her son’s memory alive and active in the community.
According to Action News Jax, a community mixer is scheduled for next month to formally introduce the foundation to other local nonprofits and community organizations.
Lil Poppa built his career on authenticity and vulnerability. He rose to prominence with his 2018 single “Purple Hearts” and continued releasing music that resonated with listeners nationwide.
His debut album Blessed, I Guess dropped in 2021 and reached No. 160 on the Billboard 200, establishing him as a serious voice in Hip-Hop.
He released multiple projects including Half Man, Half Vamp, WEE ARE WHO WE ARE, and Almost Normal Again, each showcasing his growth as an artist and storyteller.
The foundation’s launch comes as the nation grapples with a mental health crisis among young Black men.
According to CDC data, young Black men ages 20 to 24 are now dying by suicide at a rate of 31.9 per 100,000, the highest of any demographic group.
Between 2014 and 2024, the suicide death rate among Black Americans climbed 53 percent, more than 10 times faster than white Americans.
Firearms account for more than half of youth suicides, and Black men are more than four times more likely to die by suicide than Black women.
This represents a historic crisis that demands immediate attention and resources.
More to Life represents a direct response to these devastating statistics.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988 or by calling 1-800-273-8255.