He is always advocating for those who need it most!
Rapper Trae Tha Truth opened an ice cream shop to employ youth with disabilities, Blavity reports.
Popular rapper, activist, and philanthropist Trae Tha Truth took to social media recently to announce his new endeavor. In collaboration with his business partner, Roderick Baston, the two are now the proud owners of Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, located in Katy, Texas.
“God Is Key!!! I’m Proud To Announce Me & My Bro (Rod) @vortex_surgical Just Franchised To Open Our Own Ice Cream Shop,” the Texas native wrote.
Baston recalled the moment he first heard of the company through a feature on NBC’s Today Show.
“I called Trae and said we need to bring this to Houston, and we moved forward from there,” Baston told reporters.
Trae, who is the father to a son with disabilities, said the business was critical for him to elevate the community’s needs.
“Anything we can do special needs-wise is a plus for us. It elevates and supports the special needs community,” he said.
The franchise already has locations in El Paso and Dallas and is known for its hiring practices, prioritizing disabled adults. The newest store from Trae and Baston is scheduled to open on “Trae Day,” a day that honors the philanthropic efforts of the rapper, established in 2008 by the city of Houston.
“Howdy Homemade ice cream Katy will be opening on TraeDay… This Is Special Because We will Employ Special Needs Young Adults and Give Them A Opportunity To Work And Experience & Have a chance To Be Supported!! We hope to change the way the world looks at everyone,” Trae wrote about the mission.
The company’s website elaborates on their efforts, stating, “Every aspect of Howdy Homemade encompasses the special needs of the huge under-employed segment of our population with one goal: To change the way businesses hire people with special needs. Today in North Texas alone, there are over 240,000 special needs adults looking for work.”
The newest business is just an extension of the great work the rapper has always done. At the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, he was honored with the Change Maker Award for his work through his non-profit Angel by Nature. Inspired by his oldest brother Charles Hughes and family friend Rosey Ruiz, Trae created the non-profit in 2008. Since then, he has worked in every aspect, from advocacy to food drives, natural disaster relief, home repair assistance, and mass incarceration issues.
“[Angel by Nature] is dedicated to improving life for individuals who have been affected by hardship and impoverishment, especially the underserved youth,” the website states.
Howdy Homemade Ice Cream in Katy, Texas, will open on July 22nd.
Thank you for your work, Trae!
Photo Courtesy of @traebn/Instagram