"Hope is a powerful thing," MAJOR. said. "Hope is not the denial of reality. Hope is a commitment to believe greater is on the other side of it."
The Houston native, whose real name is Major Johnson Finely, has built a career around uplifting messages, both through his music and his social media presence. Known for songs like "Why I Love You," MAJOR. says he wants people to leave every interaction with a renewed sense of hope.
"I don't want people to leave a moment of choosing to listen to me, to miss the hope that I know that I give and that I live," he said.
That mission extends beyond music through the MAJOR. Hope Foundation, an organization dedicated to amplifying hope in life, love and community. The foundation's efforts include surprise charitable events, confidence coaching and outreach programs designed to help people recognize their worth.
"Often times the reason people miss great things is because they didn't believe they were worthy of it," MAJOR. said. "People live differently. They make different choices when they have a sense of value."
Recently, MAJOR. visited Covenant House, a nonprofit that provides shelter, career development and support services for young people facing homelessness and other challenges.
"You're not defined by what happened," MAJOR. told the group. "It just informs how you choose to do the next thing."