College Student Survives Fatal Crash, Launches Scholarship Foundation Honoring Her Late Father

Following the tragic crash, the overwhelming community support became a catalyst. "After such a tragic series of events, I knew I wanted to do something to make sure my father's legacy continued," said Layla King. "Seeing all of the love and support my family received, and the large number of people who made their way to his funeral, deeply impacted me. The line was out the door, and the venue was completely full of people who loved him with all their heart. I always knew how great my dad was, but seeing so much support left me grateful to know everyone knew how great he was as well."

Layla brought up the idea of establishing a foundation in Derrick's name to her mother, Angel King. She loved the idea and revealed to Layla that Derrick had always wanted to give out scholarships to young people. Now, the foundation was more than just a way to keep Derrick's legacy going; it was also a way to fulfill one of his life goals.

In less than a month, on July 30, 2026, The Derrick Anthony King Mission Foundation was officially established as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. On August 31, the foundation launched its inaugural application cycle with two scholarships:

• The Georgia Clarke Scholarship (up to $2,500): Supporting students in the Farragut and Cooper Houses in Brooklyn, NY, where Derrick and Angel grew up.
• The HOLA (Heroes Often Leave A Legacy) HBCU Scholarship (up to $2,000): Awarded to HBCU students, inspired by Layla King's current journey as a sophomore at Howard University.

The establishment of the foundation follows an outpouring of love and respect from Derrick's community and colleagues. "Your husband was truly a gentleman and a scholar," shared one of his coworkers. "I chose to work alongside him because I knew he'd have my back if I made a mistake—that's just the kind of person he was. Hearing him on the radio and seeing how he cared for everyone leaves a huge void. The job just isn't the same without him." Another shared, "There are some people who come into your life, do their job, and move on. Then, there are people like Derrick King, people who leave a permanent mark on your life."

Visit derrickakingfoundation.org to donate, apply for scholarships, and learn more about the foundation. Follow us on Instagram: @derrickakingfoundation, and on Facebook and LinkedIn: The Derrick Anthony King Mission Foundation.

About The Derrick Anthony King Mission Foundation

The Derrick Anthony King Mission Foundation exists to honor the life, legacy, and values of Derrick Anthony King by advancing educational opportunity and strengthening communities through scholarships, grants, charitable assistance, and other programs that promote education, service, leadership, entrepreneurship, and community impact.

Media Contact:

Co-Founder: Layla King

layla.k@derrickakingfoundation.org

derrickakingfoundation.org