News of 7-year-old Dequante Hobbs Jr.’s death has traveled across state lines and into the heart of rap mogul and entrepreneur Master P. In honor of his death, Master P will host a National Day of Peace rally June 29 in New Orleans, La. at the 2017 Essence Festival.
Master P personally invited and will fly Dequante’s mother, Micheisha Norment, and the family to the festival — a “party with a purpose” and one of the largest events celebrating African-American culture.
The rally will precede the Essence Festival’s charity celebrity basketball game. Master P’s son, actor/rapper Romeo Miller, will be wearing a No. 7 jersey at the basketball game to commemorate Hobbs.
Hobbs was in his home eating cake when a stray bullet struck him in the head. Once Master P heard of the “horrific tragedy,” he said the senseless killings are a disease and the rally will “help cure this disease.”
“It starts with just one. It starts with you. It starts with that one person that just wants to do better and that’s what the National Day of Peace rally is about,” he said. “We’re just tired of losing so many innocent kids to this senseless violence … I want to celebrate his life … I want other people to learn from this, and hopefully, this will be a message that we can help save other kids.”
The Louisville Metro Police Department is on pace to eclipse the 118 criminal homicide investigations it handled last year – the most in its 14-year history.
Norment said getting a call from Master P made her realize she is not alone.
“It’s something that’s positive. They’re making me feel welcome before I even get there,” said Norment.
Master P, the New Orleans native born Percy Miller, has been calling Louisville his second home since the city opened its doors to Hurricane Katrina victims, his own family members among them. Since 2013, Master P has been dropping in and out of Louisville to inspire the youth and the city’s crime-plagued neighborhoods.
With his organizations like Let the Kids Grow Foundation and Team Hope NOLA, Master P wants young kids to know it’s possible to change.
“You can break the negative cycle. When there’s a family member that’s doing wrong, you don’t have to do that … you can change that role, and you can change that course to make a better way out for your family, for your future,” he said.
For those who can’t travel to New Orleans, but still want to participate in the National Day of Peace, Christopher 2X is asking people in the community to join the conversation on social media by posting this picture, or by wearing the color red or blue on June 29 to show solidarity.