A group of teens with incarcerated family members got the surprise of a lifetime at a special dinner at the Manhattan restaurant Sei Less — a visit from Bronx-born rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.
The 50 youth from the Bronx and Brooklyn are participants with Children of Promise NYC, a nonprofit serving youth who have an incarcerated parent, sibling or other family member. The private dining experience featured Sei Less specialties such as chicken satay, vegetable spring rolls and fried rice and was donated to the organization by owner Dara Mirjahangiry.
Last year, Sei Less catered the dinner for Children of Promise at a school — but this year, he wanted to bring the teens to his high-end Times Square restaurant, which has seen famous guests including Cardi B and 50 Cent. “The goal is to give back and see a smile on their faces,” Mirjahangiry said.
The trip was a special event for many of the youth, even without the surprise guest, said Sharon Content, CEO and founder of Children of Promise. “Coming to Manhattan for many of our scholars is uncharted territory,” she said. “It’s valued on another level when mom or dad is incarcerated.”
Melany Vargas, 14, who lives in Mt. Hope, told the Bronx Times that her uncle is currently in prison and may be serving seven more years. With the help of Children of Promise, she is trying to maintain their close relationship.
Vargas said when she meets virtually with her uncle, they talk about how she’s doing in school and how life can be better for him in the future. “It’s hard because you can’t see them [in person]. You just talk to them on a screen,” she said.
With Children of Promise, Vargas said she enjoys being around peers who relate to her experience. Through activities like art and movies and special events, they “just spend time with each other, like a family, I guess,” she said.
As the teens finished eating, they knew to expect a surprise guest — but the news never leaked, and they had no idea who it was. When a curtain opened and A Boogie appeared, the room erupted with gasps and screams.
A Boogie walked around the room to greet kids, sign their Children of Promise t-shirts and pose for numerous photos. Vargas, who said she has been a fan of the rapper since third grade, got a selfie with him on her phone. “That’s my man,” she said.
The rapper, who grew up in Highbridge and attended Dewitt Clinton High School, said he still visits the Bronx “all the time.”
This event marked his first time working with Children of Promise. “It’s good being a part of the whole movement,” A Boogie told the Bronx Times, adding that he often dines at Sei Less and that he is thankful to the owner for connecting him with the organization.
After the unforgettable evening, the youth will continue building relationships through a new initiative called Bond Beyond Bars, said Content. Between letter writing, virtual visits and in-person meetings, the initiative aims to maintain strong connections between youth and their incarcerated family members, especially during the holiday season. For more information, see the Children of Promise website at cpnyc.org.
Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
