T.I. celebrated Easter by granting freedom to some nonviolent fenders.
According to D.C.’s Fox 5, the rapper partnered with a Georgia church, as well as Scrapp Deleon VH1’s “Love and Hip Hop,” to raise $120,000 to bail out 23 nonviolent, predominantly first-time fenders.
The New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia initially set out to raise $40,000, but by the end Lent, they had reached $120,000, allowing seven women and 16 men to be brought home in time for Easter Sunday.
As part the “Bail Out” program, each individual will also be connected with a mentor for weekly check-in meetings. A portion the donations will also go towards college savings for the children the recipients, including Tyron Pollard.
“For people to just reach out, willing to help out the blue, them not knowing you from nobody…that’s a blessing,” said Pollard. “I was doing drugs before I got locked up … but I don’t want to do nothing but do right and strive to be a model citizen for my kids.”
Dr. Jamal Bryant, senior pastor at New Birth, applauded the efforts the “Bail Out” program. “It’s almost like finally meeting the good Samaritan – somebody who you don’t know that you didn’t see coming,” said Bryant. “They’re appreciative to be able to press the refresh button.”
T.I. has become an activist in his community. He recently spoke out against Fox News host Laura Ingraham following her disrespectful comments in the wake Nipsey Hussle’s death. Earlier this year, he called for a boycott Gucci over its wool jumper, which sparked controversy for its depiction blackface.