Support Jada Arnell Thomas's Healing Journey

The Thomas and Brown Family is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Jada Thomas.

Donation protected

On November 2nd, while greeting fans after a performance at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) in Dallas, Jada Thomas was the victim of a tragic shooting. At the cultural hub that she considered her “safe space” to grow as an artist and young woman, a bullet pierced her chest, causing life-threatening damage to her organs.

“It was a packed house, people were in line getting autographs and we heard this shot,” Curtis King, founder and director of TBAAL, recalled to NBC 5. “It was unreal. It was like everything was in slow motion.”

Thankfully, first responders were on the scene quickly and she was rushed to a nearby hospital where she received the treatment that saved her life. Jada has already undergone multiple surgeries and her doctors anticipate several more, as well as a long road to a full recovery, which will require countless hours of additional rehab and support.

A graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual arts and The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Jada has grown into a beloved figure in the Dallas arts community. In addition to her singing career, she teaches at TBAAL, and mentors other young artists. “I’m thankful and blessed to be alive. I’m sad, but I’m grateful too. In pain, physically and emotionally, but my discomfort is a part of my healing! I know I was born to sing, and I will because of the prayers and continued support of many,” Jada said from her hospital bed. She added: “A bullet will not silence my dream.” Jada hopes to return to her work and community at TBAAL as well as continue building her career with various performance invitations and a studio project in front of her.

The money raised here will go towards covering medical bills that exceed her coverage limits, as well as lost wages and the anticipated physical therapy required to allow her to perform again. Any funds exceeding these needs will be donated to TBAAL (The Black Academy of Arts and Letters) to help provide a safe, supportive space for other aspiring artists in the Dallas area.

Jada and her loved ones thank you for any support you can provide to help her heal physically, mentally, and spiritually from this shocking attack.

Coverage of the shooting: