'Still canceled': Travis Scott donates $5M and launches project for safety of concertgoers
American rapper Travis Scott has attempted to make amends following the deadly incident that took place at his Astroworld Festival. Scott has launched a new project called 'Heal' and donated $5 million to community-based initiatives focused on helping students, mental health, and the safety of future concertgoers. The Grammy-nominated artist is allocating the funds towards scholarships, the expansion of a youth design center, lending support to mental health programs, as well as the safety of concertgoers.
"Over the past few months, I've been taking the time and space to grieve, reflect and do my part to heal my community. Most importantly, I want to use my resources and platform moving forward towards actionable change. This will be a lifelong journey for me and my family. While it's easy for corporations and institutions to stay in the shadows, I feel as a leader in my community, I need to step up in times of need. My team and I created Project HEAL to take much needed action towards supporting real solutions that make all events the safest spaces they can possibly be. I will always honor the victims of the Astroworld tragedy who remain in my heart forever," Scott captioned the post.
RELATED STORIES
Travis Scott slammed for ignoring fans' pleas to stop Astroworld concert after 8 die
Astroworld tragedy: Travis Scott slammed for offering 'scam' therapy sessions to fans
"Giving back and creating opportunities for the youth is something I've always done and will continue to do as long as I have the chance. This program will be a catalyst to real change and I can’t wait to introduce the rest of the technology and ideas we've been working on. See you all so soon [x3 brown heart emojis]," his post concluded.
"Project HEAL is a multi-tier initiative dedicated to addressing challenges facing today's youth, especially those from marginalized and at-risk communities. In conjunction with the Cactus Jack Foundation, Project HEAL unites initiatives ranging from academic scholarships, free mental health resources, a creative design center, and a first-ever, tech-driven solution for event safety. These efforts, independently and collectively, aim to solve challenges and overcome issues impacting the youth community," the website of the project reads.
"The Waymon Webster Scholarship Fund will grant $1M in scholarships to seniors at Historically Black Colleges and Universities who have reached academic excellence (averaging 3.5 or higher GPA) but who are facing the last-minute challenge of financial adversity in their second-semester senior year and risk not graduating. The scholarships will help bring 100 HBCU students over the finish line, diploma in hand. This is the second year that Scott has supported HBCUs and represents a tenfold increase," reads the website.
"Travis, in conjunction with the Cactus Jack Foundation, will fund an expansion of the CACT.US Youth Design Center, a state-of-the-art, 60,000 sqft, multi-use workspace located in Houston, Texas. Since development began in 2021, hundreds of middle and high school students have already enrolled in the center and are on their way to become the next generation of creators and inventors," it further read.
"HEAL will address the country's skyrocketing mental health crisis – and focus much-needed resources to support services for young people, especially in lower-income communities of color, many of whom have few available, accessible, affordable mental health options. Launching a free dedicated crisis-care hotline and online channel that will address the mental health needs of young people who identify as needing services; all crisis counselors will be licensed professionals, including counselors and social workers. Mental health resources will be made available to area schools to help identify any students needing mental health counseling and to provide proper support," the website mentioned.
About the fourth initiative of the project, the website informed, "HEAL will address safety challenges for large-scale live events, including funding the US Conference of Mayors Task Force of Event Safety and a tech product solution currently in development."
In November 2021,10 people lost their lives during Scott's Astroworld concert. Multiple victims and their families filed lawsuits against him after the incident. Scott posted a statement on his Twitter account saying, "I'm absolutely devastated by what took place last night. My prayers go out to the families and all those impacted by what happened at Astroworld Festival. Houston PD has my total support as it continues to look into the tragic loss of life. I am committed to working together with the Houston community to heal and support the families in need. Thank you to Houston PD, Fire Department and NRG Park for their immediate response and support. Love you all."
Meanwhile, users on the Internet refuse to let the Astroworld incident slide despite Scott's initiative. "Nice try but still canceled," said one user, while another made a sarcastic comment, "Dudes concert killed hella folks, who cares." A third mused, "this would be a good thing if not for the reason he is doing it. all the lawsuits his people will take the fact that he is doing this to court which they have to take into consideration. Smart and costs less than what he may end up paying out..."
this would be a good thing if not for the reason he is doing it. all the lawsuits his people will take the fact that he is doing this to court which they have to take into consideration. Smart and costs less than what he may end up paying out...
— r2d2 (@s35216293) March 8, 2022
One user remarked, "Great tax write off for next year I guess..." Another replied, "Kris Jenner PR machine," while a third wrote, "PR stunt to sanitize his image. Not buying it." A fourth commented, "U can’t heal the 8 [skull emoji] people we aren’t in fortinite," and a fifth asked, "How exactly does one heal from death, Mr Webster?"
U can’t heal the 8 💀 people we aren’t in fortinite
— Drainer Winkler (@drainer_winkler) March 9, 2022