Mission

The Rocket Foundation was founded by Quavo in 2022 to honor the life and legacy of Kirsnick Khari Ball, and is committed to ending gun violence in America. We uplift and invest in interventions that effectively reduce community violence so communities can thrive.

Why Community Violence Intervention?

Community Violence Intervention (CVI) is rooted in strong, sustained relationships between community members in areas impacted by gun violence. CVI programs emphasize community-led care and address conflict, trauma, community needs, youth development, and much more. CVIs have been proven to reduce shootings and killings at least 30% (Cure Violence).

Why Atlanta?

While The Rocket Foundation is on a mission to end gun violence all across the country, we’re starting our work in Atlanta for a reason. Atlanta is among the top U.S. cities affected by gun violence, but its community violence intervention programs are underfunded relative to other major cities. Our goal is to help close that gap, and to go beyond by making Atlanta a model for other U.S. cities when it comes to gun violence reduction. Atlanta is also the city where Quavo, Takeoff, and Offset founded their rap group, Migos. Takeoff loved Atlanta, and the feeling was mutual. There’s no better place to launch this critical, life-saving work in his honor.

Why Gun Violence?

Kirsnick Khari Ball, known to many as Takeoff, was an American rapper. He was Quavo’s nephew, and the youngest member of the iconic rap group, Migos. On November 1st, 2022, Takeoff was shot and killed as a bystander near a violent confrontation in Houston, TX. As his family and community mourned his passing, they committed to turning his death into a moment of reckoning and mobilization to address the gun violence crisis in U.S. cities. Founded by Quavo, The Rocket Foundation will cement Takeoff’s legacy as a lasting force for good in neighborhoods and for families impacted by gun violence.

Quavious Keyate Marshall

Quavious Keyate Marshall, known professionally as Quavo, is an internationally renowned rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, athlete, and entrepreneur from Georgia. He is best known for his work in the Atlanta-based rap group, Migos, alongside fellow rappers Takeoff and Offset. During Quavo’s tenure with the group, Migos hit #1 on the Billboard charts and broke the record formerly held by The Beatles.

Quavo has been featured on top 10 hits with artists such as Post Malone, Justin Beiber, DJ Khaled, Madonna, Young

Thug, and Travis Scott. As an actor, he has appeared in the shows Atlanta, Ballers, and Black-ish and the films Praise This and Savage Salvation.

Quavo has a long track record of partnering with community-based organizations that effectively address the needs of youth and families through his initiative Quavo Cares. Takeoff's passing inspired Quavo to immerse himself in gun violence prevention and establish The Rocket Foundation as a high-profile national platform to elevate effective solutions to community violence.