The Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF) was founded in 1995 after college student Tariq Khamisa was killed by a 14-year-old gang member, Tony Hicks. Tony was tried as an adult and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Tariq’s father, Azim Khamisa, felt this tragedy created victims on both ends of the gun. In an extraordinary grace and forgiveness, Azim reached out to Tony’s grandfather, Ples Felix. The two men came together in the spirit of healing to end youth violence.
TKF is dedicated to teaching and inspiring forgiveness, hope and peace in youth and setting them on a path towards opportunity.
TKF has connected with over 500,000 youth in communities across San Diego county since its founding. Changing the lives of young people by installing hope and empowering them to make positive choices is what TKF stands for.