Ice Spice, the four-time Grammy-nominated rapper and Bronx native, returned to her roots last week to surprise young women in Mount Hope with a message of pride, resilience, and empowerment.
The celebrated musical artist partnered with girls’ leadership nonprofit Girls Inc. for a Wellness Mini Summit at the Young Women’s Leadership School on Wednesday May 21 to teach young women tools for coping with stress and managing their mental health.
Stepping into a room full of excited students, Ice Spice spoke candidly about growing up in the Bronx, finding her voice through music, and staying connected to her community.
“This is home,” Ice Spice said to the young women. “Everything I am started right here, so coming back and showing love means everything to me.”
Ice Spice, whose real name is Isis Naija Gaston, was born and raised in the Fordham Road section of the borough.
The wellness event was part of a partnership between New York City fashion designer Kate Spade and Girls Inc. to support its Mind Body Matters program which teaches young women how the mind and body can work together to improve mental health and reduce stress.
Before becoming a chart-topping artist with over 2.5 billion global streams, Ice Spice was a girl from the Boogie Down, writing lyrics on her iPhone and drawing inspiration from hip-hop legends like Jay-Z, Lil’ Kim, and Nicki Minaj. She met producer RiotUSA while attending SUNY Purchase, a connection that would lead to her breakout track “Bully Freestyle” and later, her viral hit “Munch.”
The Bronx students enjoyed a special screening of Kate Spade’s latest campaign video, “To the Ones Who Carry Us” starring Ice Spice and Charli D’Amelio celebrating the power of female friendships. The summit then offered a day of immersive wellness activities—from mindfulness exercises and dance fitness to self-care stations and community workshops.
The rising superstar then topped off the wellness event with a special giveaway of Kate Spade Deco art deco inspired handbags to four lucky students.
The Mind Body Matters program, which began in 2020, aims to expand nationally, reaching 250,000 women and girls by 2030.
Ice Spice’s partnership with Girls Inc. and Kate Spade reflects her growing influence beyond music, as she becomes an advocate for youth empowerment and mental health awareness.
The event wasn’t just a homecoming—it was a full-circle moment, as Ice Spice used her platform to uplift the very community that shaped her.
