Sei Much less proprietor Dara Mirjahangiry (proper), Kids of Promise CEO Sharon Content material (second from proper) and youth from the Bronx pose with rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie on Nov. 19, 2024.
Photograph courtesy Shareif Ziyadat
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A bunch of teenagers with incarcerated relations received the shock of a lifetime at a particular dinner on the Manhattan restaurant Sei Much less — a go to from Bronx-born rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.
Rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, a Highbridge native, with Kids of Promise CEO Sharon Content material.Photograph Emily Swanson
The 50 youth from the Bronx and Brooklyn are individuals with Kids of Promise NYC, a nonprofit serving youth who’ve an incarcerated mum or dad, sibling or different member of the family. The personal eating expertise featured Sei Much less specialties corresponding to hen satay, vegetable spring rolls and fried rice and was donated to the group by proprietor Dara Mirjahangiry.
Final yr, Sei Much less catered the dinner for Kids of Promise at a faculty — however this yr, he wished to carry the kids to his high-end Occasions Sq. restaurant, which has seen well-known friends together with Cardi B and 50 Cent. “The goal is to give back and see a smile on their faces,” Mirjahangiry stated.
The journey was a particular occasion for lots of the youth, even with out the shock visitor, stated Sharon Content material, CEO and founding father of Kids of Promise. “Coming to Manhattan for many of our scholars is uncharted territory,” she stated. “It’s valued on another level when mom or dad is incarcerated.”
A Boogie took a number of questions from the youth.Photograph Emily Swanson
Melany Vargas, 14, who lives in Mt. Hope, informed the Bronx Occasions that her uncle is at present in jail and could also be serving seven extra years. With the assistance of Kids of Promise, she is making an attempt to take care of their shut relationship.
Vargas stated when she meets nearly along with her uncle, they discuss how she’s doing in class and the way life might be higher for him sooner or later. “It’s hard because you can’t see them [in person]. You just talk to them on a screen,” she stated.
With Kids of Promise, Vargas stated she enjoys being round friends who relate to her expertise. Via actions like artwork and flicks and particular occasions, they “just spend time with each other, like a family, I guess,” she stated.
Photograph courtesy Shareif Ziyadat
A Boogie walked across the room to greet youngsters, signal their Kids of Promise t-shirts and pose for quite a few photographs. Vargas, who stated she has been a fan of the rapper since third grade, received a selfie with him on her cellphone. “That’s my man,” she stated.
The rapper, who grew up in Highbridge and attended Dewitt Clinton Excessive Faculty, stated he nonetheless visits the Bronx “all the time.”
This occasion marked his first time working with Kids of Promise. “It’s good being a part of the whole movement,” A Boogie informed the Bronx Occasions, including that he typically dines at Sei Much less and that he’s grateful to the proprietor for connecting him with the group.
After the unforgettable night, the youth will proceed constructing relationships by means of a brand new initiative known as Bond Past Bars, stated Content material. Between letter writing, digital visits and in-person conferences, the initiative goals to take care of robust connections between youth and their incarcerated relations, particularly throughout the vacation season. For extra info, see the Kids of Promise web site at cpnyc.org.
