March 11th marked the annual “B.I.G. Night Out” held by Voletta Wallace and the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation. At this year’s event, Wallace and the Foundation paid tribute to the mother’s of deceased rapper’s and singers in the hip-hop community. Among the mothers honored were Afeni Shakur, Diane Haughton (mother of Aaliyah), Wanda Lopes (mother of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes), Gilda Terry (mother of Big L), Gail Tirado (mother of Big Pun), and Herminia Rogers (mother of Freaky Tah).
“Over the years, they’ve encountered one of the worst tragedies a mother can ever face, and I’m hoping not to put closure to their loss but just to share a little warmth with them,” Voletta Wallace told the Associated Press. “It is our way of saying, ‘Keep your head up.’ It’s the foundation’s way just to let these parents know that we love them.”
Connie Mizell, Jam Master Jay’s mother, was also honored at the event. She had the chance to speak on her son’s death, “I’m not having any problems coping; I’m a firm believer in Jesus Christ. I have been sad that he will never call me again, but I cannot say that it has deterred my life,” she told the Associated Press. “I’m a firm believer that it was Jay’s time.”
