Memphis rapper GloRilla donates $20,000 to her middle school alma mater

Memphis rap star GloRilla is giving back to her middle school alma mater.

GloRilla — born Gloria Woods — made a surprise visit to Westside Middle School on Tuesday to visit with students and make a $20,000 donation to Westside’s fine arts program.

Westside is part of Frayser Community Schools, a local charter school network that also operates M.L.K. College Prep High School and Humes Middle School. GloRilla attended both Westside and M.L.K., before eventually graduating from Melrose High.

One of Memphis music’s biggest success stories, the 24-year-old’s fast rise over the last 12 months has resulted in a Grammy nomination, a BET award win, a significant signing to Yo Gotti’s CMG label, as well as a top 10 pop hit and a couple gold singles.

On Tuesday, GloRilla spoke with students during an event at Westside, preaching the importance of academics and pursing their creative dreams — while presenting a $20,000 check to help support the school’s arts initiatives.

“I was super excited to come back to my hood," GloRilla said. "Everybody knows I'm a Westside baby. I put on for Westside still to this day. I never had nobody when I was young and in this school ever come give back. Since I have it and I'm able to, I wanted to come and give back.”

Rodney Peterson, principal of Westside Middle School, noted GloRilla's achievements serve as a model and inspiration for the current crop of students “She is the true epitome of a Westside Wildcat,” Peterson said. “With this donation, we can help continue the legacy of empowering young Wildcats to be world changers."

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GloRilla’s Westside visit comes as she’s about to help launch the Gangsta Art arena tour next week. GloRilla will be featured as part of a star-studded lineup with fellow CMG label mates and Memphians including Yo Gotti, Moneybagg Yo, and Big Boogie.

The tour kicks off Nov. 22 in Fort Worth, Texas, and will make stops in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Charlotte, North Carolina.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: GloRilla gives back to Memphis middle school alma mater