Quavo has named Gregory Jackson Jr., former Deputy Director for the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, as president of his Rocket Foundation, which is dedicated to preventing gun violence by supporting community-based solutions.
This news comes on the heels of the Trump administration’s dismantling of that White House department, where Jackson previously served alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris.
In his new role, Jackson will oversee day-to-day operations of the foundation, advise on real-time policy and reform, expand active partnerships and the current network. Additionally, he will manage the annual programming and events of the foundation alongside its founder, Quavo, including the SPARK Grants Program and the Rocket Foundation Summit, which debuted in Atlanta last year on Takeoff’s 30th birthday honoring his legacy. Takeoff, Quavo’s nephew and bandmate in Migos, was murdered in 2022 in an incident in which he was an “innocent bystander,” according to local police.
Jackson presented Rocket Foundation founder Quavo with the Humanitarian Award at Variety’s Hitmakers event last December (pictured above).
A gun violence survivor himself, Jackson is a leading voice on gun violence prevention for Black and Brown communities. Prior to the White House, he was Executive Director of the Community Justice Action Fund, which advances policies to address gun violence in these communities. There he led efforts that secured over $12 billion in public funding for gun violence prevention and led to passage of the first gun violence law in 30 years, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. As Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee National Field Director, Jackson ran the largest midterm election voter registration program in U.S. history.
“No family should suffer tragedy or trauma from gun violence like the family of Takeoff endured, but sadly over 40,000 do each year,” said Jackson. “The courage of Quavo, Titania, Edna and the entire family has been a true inspiration to me. It’s an honor to lead this foundation’s efforts to make our communities safer and honor the legacy of Takeoff.”
“I am thrilled to have Greg lead the charge for Rocket,” said Quavo. “He is a longstanding partner of the organization and our persistent work to end gun violence. I know my foundation and Takeoff’s legacy are in good hands with him.”
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