Memphis Rapper GloRilla Donates $25K to Alma Mater's Arts Program

Grammy-nominated artist supports fine arts at Melrose High School in hometown

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Memphis-based rapper GloRilla, who recently earned a Grammy nomination, donated $25,000 to the fine arts program at her alma mater, Melrose High School, in a gesture to support the arts in her hometown community.

Why it matters

GloRilla's donation highlights the importance of investing in arts education, especially in underserved communities, and the impact that successful hometown artists can have in giving back to their roots.

The details

The donation will go towards supporting Melrose High School's fine arts program, including funding for equipment, supplies, and programming. GloRilla, whose real name is Gloria Hallelujah Woods, attended Melrose and has credited the school's arts curriculum for nurturing her musical talents.

  • GloRilla donated the $25,000 in December 2025.

The players

GloRilla

A Grammy-nominated Memphis-based rapper whose real name is Gloria Hallelujah Woods. She attended Melrose High School and credits the school's arts program for supporting her musical talents.

Melrose High School

A public high school in Memphis, Tennessee that GloRilla attended. The school's fine arts program received a $25,000 donation from the rapper.

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What they’re saying

“I needed to shoot 20 more shots.”

— GloRilla, Rapper (Commercial Appeal)

The takeaway

GloRilla's donation to her alma mater's arts program demonstrates the positive impact that successful hometown artists can have in supporting the next generation of creatives, especially in underserved communities where arts education funding is often limited.