Courtesy photo
By Shirley Hawkins
Contributing Writer
LOS ANGELES — Prince Michael Jackson, the eldest son of the late “King of Pop” Michael Jackson, is on a mission to carry on his father’s legacy of spreading philanthropy through his nonprofit foundation, the Heal Los Angeles Foundation.
Established while the younger Jackson was attending Loyola Marymount University, he and co-founder John Muto established the foundation to help inner-city youth with the goals of combating child hunger, child abuse and homelessness in the greater Los Angeles area.
Jackson, 28, recently returned from Australia where he attended the opening night of “MJ the Musical.” He said that his father definitely left a philanthropic impact on him as a child.
“He definitely enjoyed making music, but he used the music as a platform to get the real message out which was to heal the world and to help others through all of his songs and messages,” Jackson said. “You can see there’s an underlying message of unity, equality and help in his music.
“My dad raised us to be a comfort to other people and to put them before ourselves,” Jackson said.
When he is not busy with the foundation, Jackson, who is also a screenwriter, operates King’s Son Productions, which produces, shoots, edits and creates visuals ranging from cinematic music videos and short films to feature-length films and beyond by bringing projects from inception to fruition.
The Heal Los Angeles Foundation has established several classes to support youth and their families to create an active, healthy lifestyle, and provide the tools needed to earn an education.
Classes include the Power Up Fitness Program designed to help students improve their physical health, promote mental well-being, build social connections, establish long-term exercise habits and enhance access to fitness opportunities.
The SMILE Program, which stands for “Supporting Minds with Inspiration, Love and Encouragement,” nurtures mental health and well-being among participants by using yoga and the companionship of therapy dogs. It focuses on self-care practices, the nurturing of healthy relationships and the cultivation of a supportive environment.
The foundation also offers the virtual cooking class program, designed to promote family participation, foster healthy eating behaviors, increase access to nutritious meals,and improve cooking skills and culinary knowledge.
Individuals and families learn how to prepare nutritious meals using simple and accessible ingredients. With the expertise of professional chefs, participants will receive guidance and expertise that will enhance their culinary journey.
Jackson said that being the son of a global superstar who is still revered around the world can be a challenge.
While his father captivated the world with his singing and dance moves, the younger Jackson admitted that he stumbles even when trying to perform his father’s famous Moonwalk.
“I can’t sing, I can’t dance, I can’t do any of that,” he said. “I’ve tried, and it’s embarrassing.”
Shirley Hawkins is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers. She can be reached at shirleyhawkins700@gmail.com.
