Asayah Beatty
Asayah graduated from John Harris High School in Harrisburg, where he was on the school’s wrestling team. He loved music, cars and adventure, Luff said, and was a “thrill-seeking, adrenaline junkie.”
But last summer, at age 20, his life was cut short as the result of a motorcycle accident. His family was heartbroken, but they’re finding a way through their pain by starting a foundation in Asayah’s memory.
“I’m the type of person where I can’t sit still in sadness or my brain will overload, and I’ll go into depression,” Luff said. “I need to keep moving.”
Luff and Asayah’s mother, Jenn Hoffman, established the foundation earlier this year. Their mission, according to the foundation website, is “to build pathways for individuals who may not be interested in or able to pursue a traditional four-year college experience.”
“We believe in providing real, accessible alternatives—from creative arts and entrepreneurship to mentorship and hands-on opportunities—especially for those who often go overlooked,” the site says.
The foundation’s first fundraising event, a musical competition called “The Voices of Harrisburg,” will honor Asayah’s love of music.
“He was a huge, huge music lover,” Luff said. “It always astonished me that someone so young would be listening to Ray Charles or heavy metal. He loved music. It was playing on his phone all day.”
Two Voices of Harrisburg events are currently planned for June 29 and Dec. 27 at the Civic Club of Harrisburg. Artists of all genres are invited to register, as long as their performance is family-friendly, Luff said. A panel of three judges will determine the winner, who will receive a cash prize.
“This event is more than just a singing competition,” Luff said. “It’s a celebration of life, love, healing and community.”
The Voices of Harrisburg events will also provide paid internship opportunities for young people interested in event planning and production. The foundation is working on internship arrangements with the local vendors who are helping to produce the events, Luff said.
The foundation is also looking for event sponsors and donations of auction items.
As the foundation builds its programs and determines how it can best support local young people and honor Asayah’s memory, the ultimate goal is to let people know they are not alone, Luff said.
“We want the Asayah Beatty Foundation to be a foundation where people who are hurting know that they have a place to go and that they are not alone,” he said. “It’s hard to talk about certain things without crumbling to the ground. We’re showing people that, even in the midst of our pain, we just don’t want to go through it alone.”
“The Voices of Harrisburg” music competition will be held Sunday, June 29, at 4 p.m. at the Civic Club of Harrisburg, 612 N. Front St. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-voices-of-harrisburg. For more about the Asayah Beatty Foundation, visit www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundraising/asayah-beatty-foundation.
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